Animal complaints

If you find an animal and it does or does not have an identification tag with a phone number, you must contact Council as soon as possible. Council does not provide an animal collection service after hours however the details of the found animal will be noted and collection arranged for business hours.

It is against the law to keep any animal that you find. It is important to be cautious when approaching strange animals. A lost animal may be afraid and attack.

MAAW Castlemaine is a not for profit animal welfare organisation providing high quality animal care and community education on animal welfare. MAAW finds lifelong homes for surrendered and homeless animals through careful rehoming programs.

The MAAW shelter is at 24 Langslow Street (former RSPCA shelter). The shelter phone number is (03) 5472 5277.

If your pet or livestock ends up at MAAW a release fee is payable upon release of impounded animals. Impounded stock will be held for a period of eight days and unclaimed stock will be sold by tender.

MAAW also has an opportunity shop at 105 Barker Street, Castlemaine.

All reports of animal cruelty or neglect should be directed to the RSPCA Victoria, via their cruelty report hotline on (03) 9224 2222 or by following the link below. Please note, the Castlemaine MAAW is a pound and shelter only and does not handle any such complaints.

All reports of lost and found animals should be reported to Council's Local Laws Department by contacting our offices. In addition, any reports concerning lost animals can also be phoned through the MAAW animal care facility on (03) 5472 5277.

The RSPCA is Australia’s most well-known and trusted animal welfare organisation, with a long history of providing evidence-based animal welfare advice to the public. In 2018, RSPCA launched the Guide to Keeping Your Cat Safe and Happy at Home. This is a free resource aimed at advising cat owners on how to provide for their cat’s welfare and also help protect native wildlife by keeping their cat contained to their home, with safe outdoor access (e.g. through a cat-enclosure).

The Domestic (Feral and Nuisance) Animals Act 1994 covers noise from dogs or cats. A dog or cat can be regarded as a nuisance if the animal creates a noise that persistently or continuously disturbs a neighbour. Barking dogs can also be considered unreasonable noise under Section 48A of the EP Act.

Ongoing issues should be reported to Council. If Council determines there is a nuisance under the Animals Act, they can give a notice to the owner to prevent he nuisance or can issue a fine for the offence. Court action is also available in some cases.

Contact us to report ongoing barking dog issues. To report a barking dog please download and complete our Barking Dog - Noise Nuisance - Diaries which you can download below.