Contacting Horsham Rural City Council remains the best way to have lost pets safely returned to their owners.
People who find a dog or cat out wandering should contact the Community Safety Unit on (03) 5382 9777. If the dog or cat has no immediate identification, a ranger can check it for a microchip, and if it is microchipped, will be able to contact the owner to return it home safely.
This will improve the chances of the animal not being impounded and assist with a speedy and safe return to the owner.
"If your dog or cat is registered with Council, we can easily identify the owner and in most instances return them safely to you," Coordinator Community Safety, Julie Flint said.
"If it's a pet's first-time at large and the dog or cat is currently registered, then there's no fee for its safe return."
Mrs Flint said the percentage of dogs and cats that are returned to their owners or re-homed had increased considerably in recent years.
This is possible because most animals are now microchipped.
Registering, microchipping, and having identification tags on a pet's collar gives people the highest probability that their lost pets will be returned.
"All of our officers are animal lovers, and they play an active role in making sure that lost dogs and cats make it home safely," she said.
Council now posts photographs on its social media sites of all unidentified animals in hope to reunite lost or displaced cats and dogs.
"They also work hard to find new homes for dogs that are unregistered or whose owners cannot be found," Mrs Flint said.
Owners of domestic animals found to be unregistered, or who haven't had their registration renewed by 10 April 2024, can be fined $395 per animal.
People can advise if their pet is deceased or relocated by calling (03) 5382 9777 or completing an online form.
A service request can also be made to report an animal you have found. Contacting Horsham Rural City Council remains the best way to have lost pets safely returned to their owners.
