Lost and Found Pets

Check the Lost and Found Pets of Wangaratta Facebook page.
If you think your pet has been picked up by a Council Ranger, contact Customer Service on 03 5722 0888.

Council Rangers collect lost or wandering pets.
Pets are initially held at a Council-approved facility in Wangaratta that meets Animal Welfare Victoria standards.
The aim is to return pets to their owners as quickly as possible.
If an owner cannot be located within 24 hours, the pet is transferred to the Albury Animal Care Centre

If your pet has been transferred to the Albury Animal Care Centre, you can:

Pets should be kept on your property at all times.

To help us reunite your pet with you, make sure it:

July 2025 to July 2026

Total Impounded Animals	379	Collected by Rangers	100%
Returned/Rehomed within 24hrs by Rangers	90	(Includes 1 Surrendered)	23.75%
Returned/Rehomed via Albury Animal Care Centre	83	(includes 21 Surrendered)	21.90%
Feral	131		34.56%
Euthanised	75	Euthanised due to Behavioural or Medical Reasons	19.79%

Frequently Asked Questions

Albury Animal Care Centre, Albury Council, was the successful tenderer for the Council contract to provide domestic animals pound services from July 2023.
The contract was awarded to Albury Animal Care Centre, Albury Council following a fair and rigorous tender process.
Albury’s tender submission was the only one within Council’s budget for this service and they have the facilities to provide the level of service and care Council requires.
Council conducted the approved tender process at the conclusion of the previous contract.

Council maintains our ongoing commitment to the welfare of domestic animals and support of responsible pet ownership.
The objective is to ensure the safety of domestic animals within our municipality and reunite them with their owners swiftly, safely and in a cost-effective way.
Council will care for lost domestic animals for the first 24 hours in a holding facility in Wangaratta that meets Animal Welfare Victoria Standards, while efforts are made to return the pets to their rightful owners.
Community members whose animals are taken to Albury after this period are encouraged to contact Albury Animal Care Centre to collect their animals directly.
Council may offer animal transport for those who do not have the means to travel to Albury (Returned within two (2) business days).

Council Rangers carry microchip scanning devices in their vehicles and will scan any animal they collect. Where possible, they will attempt to return the animal to its owner.
Council will look after and hold animals in our 24-hour holding facility in Wangaratta.
During this holding time, Council officers will try to contact the owner to return the animal to them.
- Council Rangers may issue infringements at their discretion based on the factors of the collection and previous history.
Rural City of Wangaratta encourages pet owners to get their pets microchipped and ensure their pet registration details are up to date to facilitate the return of their animals within the first 24 hours.
If Council officers cannot get animals back to owners within the 24-hour period due to:
- Owner being uncontactable,
- Information on the domestic animal register being incorrect or not up to date,
- The animal not being registered,
then Council will transport these animals to the Albury facility.
If needed, Council will transport animals they have not been able to return owners on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays.
If you have lost your domestic pet and it has been taken to the Albury Pound and you cannot get to Albury to collect your pet, please contact Council to assist.

Albury Animal Care Centre has been providing pound services to Wodonga, Indigo, and Towong Shire Councils and they meet all Victorian Animal Welfare Standards.