ALMOST 700 cats and dogs were processed through Horsham pound last year, new Horsham council data has revealed.
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Between January 1 and November 20, 2019, a total of 666 animals ended up at the council-run facility.
During the 2018-19 financial year, 424 dogs and 295 cats were impounded, while 42 dogs and 219 cats were euthanased.
Some animals were luckier with 52 dogs and 39 cats re-homed, and 330 dogs and 37 cats returned to their owner during the same time period.
Horsham council has worked with Horsham PAWS since 2011 to enable the fostering of cats and dogs awaiting adoption.
The council's development services director Angela Murphy said the council's relationship with Horsham PAWS was essential.
"We have a really good relationship with our local re-homing groups," she said.
There are 1774 cats and 3842 dogs registered with Horsham council. However, Ms Murphy said the council was aware of a large percentage of animals that weren't registered.
"It is estimated that 80 per cent of dogs and 50 per cent of cats aren't registered," she said.
"Over the last 18 months we have revised our systems and are getting more accuracy in data to see where education gaps are with residents."
The cost to register a sterilised and microchipped dog or cat in the Horsham municipality is $44 per year. The fine for having an unregistered domestic animal is $330.
Horsham council started to electronically deliver animal registration notices in November. It had previously only mailed out animal renewal notices through the regular postal system.
"That has only just begun and so we are unable to make an assessment (on how successful it has been) at this early stage," Ms Murphy said.
At the council's December meeting, councillors adopted the council's Domestic Animal Management Plan 2017-21 which provides analysis in relation to domestic animal control.
Initiatives for 2020-21 outlined were "leverage technology to improve service delivery and current data capture regarding animal management; encourage registrations and identification of domestic animals; and reduce euthanasia and overpopulation, particularly in relation to cats", the plan said.
Read the full plan below:
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