TRC announced decommissioning the drop boxes at the end of February 2025, now that we are here I would have expected a statement regarding an alternative for the community. Council so far, have said if you find a lost animal it's your choice to hold and find owner; or leave it to roam. 

There has been limited media and community alerts to the changes excluding one mention on the TRC website for lost pets. It took multiple requests to get them to consider media and their own social media....none have shared beyond one post on the TRC website. This issue is compounded by bad timing with the animal management at capacity with long term holds including dangerous dogs and those involved in investigations as seized pets. Some there for months at a time, in the last year the facility has reach capacity 3 times. 

There is also a issue with homesafe 🆔 microchips now no longer recognised or working, following the company going into liquidation. Any homesafe 🆔 chipped cat or dog now cannot be identified by vets, pound, rescues, RSPCA and other organisations. All 3 contributing factors make reuniting a pet and owner unnecessarily challenging, and yes responsible pet ownership plays a role. 

But council are choosing to close these boxes, without an alternative and know this will not end well. I've argued and debated for over a year about after hours access, staff shortages, rostering, an alternative drop off location, onsite weekend staff...all fall on deaf ears or would take years to actually happen. 

This is so disappointing and incredibly dismissive, telling us to ring and report a wandering dog and if unapproachable leave it roam, they will come and pick up if aggressive....what happens if we have done what they told us to do....ring, report, don't approach and let roam...they are coming...and a child or another animal is mauled. Where does liability lay. 

This mission for missy isn't over, better is expected of the council that represent this community. It's a pity they are without moral compass, backbone and more importantly a dollar and a care...

No doubt until it's their own. 

I will keep you posted on any new changes to come. 

Thankyou for the support this last year and continue to share Missy's story. 

Kind regards

Sarah