Report a pet or animal concern

If you have a pet or animal concern, we may be able to help. Find out how to report your pet or animal concern.

If you suspect your pet or a native animal may have eaten bait, contact a vet immediately. You can also find information on pet or animal baiting at RSPCA, Ask A Veterinarian and Vets On Call.

Pets

Report a concern related to dogs, cats or other pets.

Dog barking or animal noise

If you are concerned about a barking dog or animal noise, we suggest talking to your neighbour or building manager first.

For tips, as well as a letter template to help you raise the issue with your neighbour, visit dealing with barking dogs.

If you were unable to resolve the issue with your neighbour, you can report your concern with Council.

We will provide you with a Dog Barking Diary to record the behaviour so we can investigate.

For more information, or to report your concern, visit dealing with barking dogs.

Animal welfare or cruelty

If you witness or suspect animal cruelty including neglect or abandonment, report it to the RSPCA.

For urgent matters, please call Victoria Police on 000.

If you have concerns about an animal's welfare, we suggest reporting it directly with the RSPCA. The RSPCA has the authority to investigate animal welfare issues. If you need advice on how to report your concern with the RSPCA, call our Animal Management team on 03 8290 1333or email council@stonnington.vic.gov.au

If you are concerned about an animal kept in unclean or unsanitary areas, you can report it to Council by calling our Animal Management team on 03 8290 1333 or email council@stonnington.vic.gov.au 

Lost or missing animal

If your concern relates to a lost or missing animal, you can report it online.

Report online

Found animal

To report a found animal such as a dog or cat, call our Animal Management team on 03 8290 1333 or email council@stonnington.vic.gov.au

Dog attack or threatening behaviour

To report an animal attack or threatening behaviour, call our Customer Service Centre on 03 8290 1333.

Dogs off-lead outside of designated areas

To report an off-lead dog outside of a designated off-lead area, call our Animal Management team on 03 8290 1333 or email council@stonnington.vic.gov.au

Owner not picking up dog waste

To report an owner not picking up dog waste, call our Animal Management team on 03 8290 1333 or email council@stonnington.vic.gov.au

Keeping of extra animals

By law, there is a limit to the number of animals that can be kept on a property without a permit.

If you suspect someone is keeping extra animals without a permit, call our Animal Management team on 03 8290 1333 or email council@stonnington.vic.gov.au

Trespassing cats or wandering dogs

If your concern is related to the following, we may be able to help:

  • cats straying onto private property without the owner’s permission
  • dogs wandering or not securely confined to their property
  • inadequate boundary fencing to confine dogs.

To report your concern, call our Animal Management team on 03 8290 1333 or email council@stonnington.vic.gov.au

Local wildlife

Stonnington is home to an abundance of local wildlife. While it is possible to live in harmony, we understand local wildlife may become a nuisance. Find out how to report a concern related to our local wildlife or injured animals.

If you suspect an animal is living in your roof or wall, we suggest contacting a professional commercial service.

Bees and wasps

If your concern is related to bees or wasps, you can report it online.

Report online

Ducks

If your concern relates to the removal of ducks, we suggest waiting a few days as they tend to leave on their own accord.

You can report the matter to the Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action and a wildlife duty officer will investigate after a few days.

Feeding of stray animals and birds

If your concern is related to the feeding of stray animals and birds, you can report it online.

Report online

If you suspect your pet or a native animal may have eaten bait, contact a vet immediately. You can also find information on pet or animal baiting at RSPCA, Ask A Veterinarian and Vets On Call.

Feral cats

If you concern is related to feral cats, call our Animal Management team on 03 8290 1333 or email council@stonnington.vic.gov.au

Foxes

For concerns related to foxes, visit Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning or call at 13 61 86.

Alternatively, call our Animal Management team on 03 8290 1333 or email council@stonnington.vic.gov.au and we may be able to help.

Injured wildlife

For concerns related to sick, injured or orphaned native wildlife, call Wildlife Victoria on 03 8400 7300.

For more information, visit Wildlife Victoria.

Non-native species

For issues with non-native animals such as foxes, rabbits, deer or livestock, call the Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action on 136 186.

Possums

Stonnington is home to two varieties of possum - the Common Brushtail Possum and the Common Ringtail Possum.

While living with possums isn't always easy, it is possible to live in harmony in our shared urban spaces.

Possums are protected by law, and you have a legal obligation to deal with possums humanely. Possums can be trapped to remove them from a roof but must be released on the same property within 50 m of the capture site.

One of a possum's biggest challenges is finding shelter and nesting sites. The Brushtail possum will often seek shelter in our roof spaces and wall cavities. Ringtail possums rarely enter a roof, preferring to build a shelter in dense foliage metres off the ground.

If a possum is living in your roof or wall, we suggest contacting a professional commercial service. If possums are a nuisance in your home, visit the DELWP website or Sustainable Gardening Australia website for tips on managing possums.

If you find an injured possum, call Wildlife Victoria toll free on 1300 094 535.

Rodents

If your concern is related to rodents, you can report it online.

Report online

Swooping birds

Being aware of swooping areas can also help us avoid venturing into these birds' territories and take extra precautions while they are protecting their nests and young.

The Victorian Swooping Bird Map shows locations where people were swooped, mainly during the annual spring breeding season.

Snakes

If your concern is related to snakes, call our Animal Management team on 03 8290 1333 or email council@stonnington.vic.gov.au