!!! Immediate need !!!! Release Milly, the 12-week-old sister of the murdered puppy:
Click to send this pre-filled email

Note: NO NEED TO DONATE TO THIS (it just goes to change.org), please send money to a reputable rescue like Forever Friends or Found Hearts instead!

 

Goal: 5,000 signatures to force urgent scrutiny, media coverage and a formal investigation by the Minister for Agriculture and relevant councils.

Why now:

• Repeated controversies, secrecy, and welfare concerns point to systemic failures in oversight and transparency at The Lost Dogs’ Home (LDH).
• Currently many councils that partner with LDH are also making their 4-yearly DAMP (Domestic Animal Management Plan).
• There is a new policy amendments in parliament on the Domestic Animal Act that will make real rescue even harder. -> Read this story
   

WHAT WE'RE ASKING FOR

• Collect stories & evidence. Share your experience with LDH (owners, volunteers, rescuers, staff). We will collate verified accounts into an anonymised public dossier and a policy brief for decision‑makers.
  → Report an LDH welfare issue (historic or current) to help us compile evidence: lostdogshome.report 
• Trigger public investigations. Use your signature and voice to call for the Minister for Agriculture and partner councils to open an independent investigation into LDH’s governance, behaviour testing, data reporting and access policies.
• Ask your council to act. If your council partners with LDH, demand contract transparency, public KPIs and contingency plans. Councils are legally responsible for animal management under Victoria’s Domestic Animals Act and must have (and consult on) a Domestic Animal Management Plan (DAMP).
  → Find your council here
  → About DAMPs: state guidance
  -> AJP supporter guide to DAMP Submissions
• Publish quarterly data. Require LDH to publish intake/outcome data, behaviour‑test outcomes, reclaims, transfers and euthanasia reasons quarterly, not just annually, using the state’s Animal Fate Data framework.
  → Vic mandatory reporting: Animal Fate Data
• Independent assessments. Mandate external, qualified behaviourists or veterinary behaviour specialists to review behaviour‑testing methods, with public summaries. Align practice with AVA and ASV guidelines.
  Modern welfare standards. Require LDH to:
  • Adopt a high save‑rate target (90%+) and make euthanasia an absolute last resort for animals who are incurably ill or truly dangerous (by independent assessment).
  • Implement robust enrichment, foster and rehoming pathways to reduce length of stay.
  • Provide humane, transparent owner‑access policies during holding and investigation periods.
  • Publish the full behaviour‑assessment protocol, tools, thresholds and reviewer credentials.
  • Provide quarterly public dashboards and open data exports.
• Council programs that prevent intake. Expand subsidised desexing, microchipping drives, and low‑cost training/behaviour support as DAMP commitments.
• Councils publish contracts with LDH and other homes. Councils publish quarterly data. Councils publish their UAM and escalation protocols (see Sidney Lane blog)
• Help Ziggy & current animals. Support the immediate campaign to restore owner access and independent oversight for Ziggy.
  → Help Ziggy: helpziggy.org
  
  

Statistics demonstrate that shelters adopting these best practices have seen significant improvements in animal welfare and public support. For example, no-kill shelters have increased the chances of adoption by up to 90%, while transparent operations foster community trust and financial support.

A HISTORY OF SECRECY & WELFARE ISSUES AT 'LOST' DOGS HOME

The Lost Dogs’ Home (LDH) has a long record of controversy and secrecy when it comes to welfare oversight. This is not new. 

 

 

 

• 2015 – Media reports revealed the Victorian Government launched an investigation into LDH’s North Melbourne shelter following claims of poor management and a lack of accountability (Daily Mail, ABC News).
• 2018 – An ABC investigation uncovered a “toxic culture” at LDH, with widespread staff resignations tied to welfare concerns (ABC News).
• 2019 - Further ABC News reporting on resignations linked to scandals, including the “Dallas the cat” case (ABC News)
• 2019 - Mornington Peninsula News reported on a charity clash with LDH, where a rescue group fundraised for a dog’s care while LDH denied them all access, taking their money but refusing any information or contact (Mornington Peninsula News).
• 2025 – Most recently, The Age described how LDH once again became the centre of controversy during a heated council debate, sparking a wave of public backlash and emotional community campaigns (The Age, Herald News).
• 2025 - The Lost Dogs Home killed 12-week-old puppies for "failing" a behaviour test (Facebook)
• 2025 - LDH Refuses access to owners dog (Facebook) -> sign https://helpziggy.org
  
  

🪧 These cases show a disturbing trend: when transparency is most needed, secrecy prevails.

 

 

Yet 16 councils continue to partner with or award their pound services to LDH - with only annual reporting required.

Meanwhile LDH advertises itself as a charity “We do not receive government funding and rely on the generosity of our donors…” (report), using clever accounting to back the claim.

🎙️ Transparency is not an inconvenience - it is the cornerstone of public confidence in government and organisations. 

When LDH and Council hide behind secrecy, they do more than harm animals and their families. They erode the public trust that allows them to govern.

                                             ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦

WHY AM I DOING THIS?

I am a researcher and engineer living in Melbourne. Recently, my dog was locked up at North Melbourne LDH, and welfare access was refused. 

I have since dug through countless research papers, Facebook stories & news reporting across LDH, pound oversight, council and state laws, advocacy campaigns and welfare best practices.

I am now on a mission to uncover the brutality and to change the laws and bridge the gaps in welfare.

For my own dog (helpziggy.org), for innocent puppies being killed for "failing" behavioural tests at 12 weeks old, and for all the voiceless animals that are falling through the gaps behind closed doors. 

                                             ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦

CURRENT LAW & POLICY

• Victorian Code of Practice for Shelters & Pounds (Revision 1, in force 1 Jan 2023) - sets minimum standards for housing, care, records, and management.
  → Overview
• Mandatory outcome reporting (Animal Fate Data) — shelters/pounds must report intake/outcomes; the state now publishes dashboards and guidance.
  → Data dashboard
  → Data interpretation guidance
• Councils must have a DAMP (renewed every 4 years) and consult the community. HAPPENING NOW - HAVE YOUR SAY
  → State explainer
   

                                             ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦

BEST-PRACTICE FRAMEWORKS (RSPCA • AVA • ASV)

• RSPCA (national policies & position papers): humane outcomes policy incl. A5 Euthanasia of companion animals; support for mandatory public reporting of animal fate data; evidence‑based transparency and governance.
  • → RSPCA on “no‑kill”: focusing on the save‑rate and prevention strategies is preferable to labels; see explainer (RSPCA Qld) on the “no‑kill myth”
• AVA (Animal shelters & municipal pounds policy): veterinarian‑led behaviour assessment before rehoming, public access to pounds, appropriate holding periods, infection control, enrichment, and that euthanasia be used only when in the animal’s best interests; councils should ensure uniform codes and close vet–shelter collaboration.
  • → AVA policy
• ASV (Association of Shelter Veterinarians) Guidelines (global reference): comprehensive, evidence‑based standards for shelter housing, behaviour, medical care, enrichment and decision‑making.
  • → ASV Guidelines (2nd ed., 2022)
    
    

IT'S TIME TO ACT
All dogs deserve welfare oversight and care, no matter what.

• ✅  Sign & share this petition (2 minutes). Every signature strengthens media interest and political will.
• ✅ Tell your story. If you’ve interacted with LDH (owner, volunteer, staff, rescuer), submit your account or encourage others to.
• ✅ Email LDH leadership. Ask for owner access, public behaviour‑test protocols, and quarterly data. (Template below.)
• ✅ Email your council. If partnered with LDH, demand contract transparency, KPIs and quarterly dashboards; push to include these in the next DAMP. (Template below.)
• ✅ Email the Minister for Agriculture. Request an independent investigation and enforceable transparency settings. (Template below.)
• ✅ Comment on LDH social posts with the petition.
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
• ✅ Make a DAMP submission. Use this AJP community guide to shape your council’s policy
• ✅  Help Ziggy by signing. Ziggy is also held without welfare access at LDH https://helpziggy.org
  
  
  

EMAIL TEMPLATES TO SEND

👉 To The Lost Dogs’ Home (leadership): Prefilled Email Template (just click)

 
👉 To your Council (if partnered with LDH)
Find council contact
Prefilled Email Template (just click & paste council email)

👉 To the Victorian Minister for Agriculture
Pre‑filled Email Template (just click)

 

MEDIA DISTRIBUTION & OUTREACH

National & VIC newsrooms

ABC News (tip page)
ABC Investigations (secure form)
ABC Confidential Tips
ABC Radio Melbourne: Email abcradiomelbourne@abc.net.au
SBS News (Chief of Staff): Email cos@sbs.com.au
7NEWS digital tips: Email 7ndtips@seven.com.au
9News tips: Email contact@9news.com.au
10 News First tips: Email tips@networkten.com.au
Guardian Australia (editorial): Email australia@theguardian.com
AAP (wire) editors: Email editors@aap.com.au
The Age – Letters: letters@theage.com.au
Herald Sun – Letters: hsletters@heraldsun.com.au
Star Weekly (West) – Editorial: westeditorial@starweekly.com.au

Notes: ABC News prefers tips via forms; use email for radio programs. Some outlets have strict file‑type limits—link to your docs instead of attaching large files.

 
MEDIA TEMPLATES (draft)

Short alert (≤150 words)

Subject: Investigate LDH: transparency & welfare oversight in Victoria
Body (paste or adapt):

Hello newsroom,

I’m sharing verified documents and public records indicating ongoing transparency and animal‑welfare concerns at The Lost Dogs’ Home (LDH).

• 2015 Vic Govt investigation (ABC; Daily Mail).
• 2018–19 ABC reporting: toxic culture; resignations incl. “Dallas the cat”.
• 2019 Mornington Peninsula News: charity clash over access & information.
• May 2025 The Age: emotional council vote and community campaigns.
• Sep 2025: puppy euthanasia controversy after behaviour test (social + coverage).

Public interest: 16 partner councils; annual‑only data; owner welfare‑access refusals.
Links: helpziggy.org • lostdogshome.report • theage.com.au/...m2eg.html
Requesting an independent investigation, quarterly public data, and published behaviour‑test protocols.

Full pitch (250–300 words)
Subject: Story tip & documents: LDH oversight, behaviour testing and council accountability
Body:
Hello [News Editor/Chief of Staff],

I’m providing a document bundle and source links regarding ongoing transparency and animal‑welfare concerns at The Lost Dogs’ Home (LDH) affecting multiple Victorian councils. Key items:

• 2015: Victorian Government announced an investigation into LDH North Melbourne (ABC; Daily Mail).
• 2018–2019: ABC reporting on a “toxic culture” and staff resignations, including the “Dallas the cat” scandal.
• 2019: Mornington Peninsula News on a charity clash over access and information.
• May 2025: The Age reported an emotional council vote and zealous public campaigns.
• Sep 2025: widely‑circulated claims that 12‑week‑old puppies were euthanised after failing a behaviour test; subsequent mainstream coverage.

Why it matters: 16 councils currently partner with LDH, yet public oversight is limited to annual reporting. Owners report being refused welfare access; behaviour‑testing protocols are unpublished; there is no routine independent review.

We’re seeking an independent investigation (Minister & councils), publication of the behaviour‑assessment protocol, and quarterly intake/outcome reporting aligned to the Animal Fate Data framework.

On‑record sources & interviews available: affected owners (incl. Ziggy’s family), council submitters, vets/behaviourists.
Links: https://helpziggy.org • https://lostdogshome.report • The Age (26 May 2025) • ABC (2018; 2019) • MP News (2019) • ABC (2015) • Facebook post (2025).

Best, [Full name]
[Suburb, VIC]
[Mobile]

Investigations desk version (very short)
Subject: Documents & witnesses: LDH oversight (multi‑council VIC)
Body:
Hello Investigations — Documents, witnesses and timelines re LDH (Vic): 2015 govt probe; 2018–19 ABC reports; 2019 MP News; 2025 council vote; 2025 puppy euthanasia claims. Ask: independent review; quarterly public data; published behaviour‑test protocol. Contacts & links: helpziggy.org • lostdogshome.report • The Age 26/5/2025 • ABC 2018/2019 • MP News 30/1/2019 • ABC 22/1/2015 • FB post 2025. Reply for interviewees & docs.

 
One‑click media email (prefilled)

Click to send a pre‑filled email to all outlets

Tip: If your mail client complains about the BCC size, send in two batches (TV/radio first; then newspapers/wire).

SOCIAL SHARES & COMMENTS 

Suggested comment for LDH posts:
I’m asking LDH and our council to publish behaviour‑testing protocols and quarterly public data on intake/outcomes, with independent behaviour reviews. Transparency saves lives. Please support: https://change.org/stop-ldh-killing


Short share text:
Investigate The Lost Dogs’ Home. Enforce transparency, independent behaviour reviews and quarterly data reporting.
Sign & share: https://change.org/stop-ldh-killing