- Cats and dogs can live up to 18 years of age – will you be able to keep a pet for its entire life?
- Does your lifestyle allow time for you to take care of a pet?
- Is the type of pet you are considering suitable for the place you live in? Apartment living may not be suitable for all pets.
- Will you be able to walk a dog?
- Do you have any future life plans that could leave a pet homeless?
City of Melbourne introduced mandatory desexing and curfews for cats in October 2025. This means that cat owners must:
- contain their cat to their property between the hours of 6pm and 8am
- desex their cat
- keep their cats away from waterways, riverine environments and certain major parks and gardens, unless under effective control by means of a purpose-built carrier, or harness and leash.
To learn more, visit Participate Melbourne External link.
Foster programs
Are you a pet lover but unsure about the long-term commitment?
That’s ok, there are animal foster programs available in Victoria that enable you to take in animals that are not quite suitable for adoption until they can find a permanent home.
Animal shelter contact details
- The Lost Dogs' Home External link
2 Gracie Street, North Melbourne 3051
Phone: 03 9329 2755 - RSPCA Victoria External link
Corner Burwood Hwy and Middleborough Road, Burwood East
Phone: 03 9224 2222 - Lort Smith Animal Hospital External link
24 Villiers St, North Melbourne 3051
Phone: 03 9328 3021
Become a volunteer
Being a volunteer at a welfare organisation is a great way to care for and support animals in need. A volunteer kindly donates their time to support the day-to-day operations of an organisation and care for the animals housed in their facilities. It may also provide you with the opportunity to spend time with animals, without committing to pet ownership.
You can become a volunteer at the following organisations:
- The Lost Dogs’ Home
- Lort Smith Animal Hospital
- RSPCA Victoria.
If you have considered the above and have decided to get a pet, you must ensure your pet is microchipped and registered with your local council. If you decide to get a dog, you must also ensure you comply with the leashing requirements, pick up its waste when in public and make sure it does not create a nuisance by barking excessively.
