Ballarat Animal Shelter

09/06/2026

🐾TRAINING TIP TUESDAY: 🐾🐕

Got a high-energy dog? Here’s what they really need…

Some dogs aren’t just “active” — they’re wired for work and adventure. Without the right outlets, all that energy can turn destructive.

The key is balance:

🚶‍♂️ Plenty of exercise – at least 60 minutes a day... or more!

🧠 Mental stimulation - try training, puzzle toys or scent games to tire them out faster than a long walk!

And remember to mix it up, keep them guessing!

A tired dog isn’t just one that’s been run — it’s one whose body AND brain are both satisfied.

05/06/2026

🐈🐾HUGE thank-you to Mandy for making and donating us 60 cat beds and 20 dog beds!

The animals will stay cosy through winter with these!
Much Appreciated 🐾🐈

03/06/2026

One of our AMOs Lisa knows firsthand how important animal registration is.

Have you renewed your registration for this year? It's not too late

🐾💛 One year later and this lost pet made it home!

In 2025, a much‑loved Ballarat family cat went missing, leaving its owners fearing the worst. A year later, it was found as a stray and taken to the Ballarat Animal Shelter, where microchipping and registration details helped staff quickly identify the owner and reunite them after months apart.

Stories like this are a powerful reminder of why keeping your pet registered and up to date matters.

Pet owners across Ballarat are being encouraged to renew their registrations, helping ensure Animal Management Officers can return lost pets home quickly and safely, reducing stress for both animals and their owners.

Registration also supports the care of the thousands of animals that enter the Ballarat Animal Shelter each year and helps fund important community animal services.

Renewing now will also help avoid the upcoming Victorian Government levy increase next financial year.

💻 Renew online via the City of Ballarat eServices portal (https://eservices.ballarat.vic.gov.au/), by BPAY, or in person at the Customer Service Centre at The Phoenix.

02/06/2026

UPDATE: Pending Applications. Thanks everyone! We got a huge response :)

🦆Duck Looking for a Home🦆

This gorgeous Muscovy duck is on the lookout for a safe and caring new home.

If you could offer a good home to this duck we'd love to hear from you!

Email: [email protected]
Call: 5334 2075

02/06/2026

Will Biscuit bowl you over? Probably. Will he bring you endless laughter and entertainment? Absolutely!

On a serious note, Biscuit has been in the shelter for 6 months and he isn’t coping well. He is a big, fun dog who wants to be part of the action, not stuck in a kennel. 6 months of shelter life has caused him to be bouncing with energy and to drop a lot of weight. Due to this he comes out ready to jump and play the moment he meets new people, but once you get through the initially excitement he does settle.

Biscuit loves to play and is a rough and tumble kinda guy. He would do great in a busy family with kids who can handle his size and energy. He is also dog friendly and would happily share his home with another dog. He would love a wrestle buddy.

If you’re looking for a fun, goofy dog full of love and joy, Biscuit is your guy!

Check out his Petrescue profile or contact the shelter for more information or to book a meet & greet.

02/06/2026

Training Tip Tuesday: He's not naughty, he's bored 🐾

Puppies have a lot of energy and curiosity. When they don’t have an outlet, they invent their own entertainment and unfortunately, that can involve your favourite things.

💡 What can you do?
Here are some simple ways to help your pup stay happy (and save your belongings):

🦴Rotate toys
Don’t leave all toys out at once. Rotate them every few days to keep things “new” and exciting.

🐶Create a puppy-safe zone
Use a crate or playpen when you can’t supervise. This prevents destruction while teaching them boundaries.

⏰Keep a routine
Puppies thrive on structure. Regular feeding, walks, and naps help reduce anxiety and boredom-driven behaviour.

🐕Burn that puppy energy
Daily walks, playtime, and even short backyard games make a huge difference. A tired puppy = a well-behaved puppy.

Remember: Your puppy isn’t trying to make a mess—they’re just trying to make sense of the world (with their teeth).

With a little patience, structure, and play, your “tiny tornado” will grow into a well-behaved best friend ❤️🐾

01/06/2026

🐾 TOWELS WANTED🐾

Hey Ballarat 👋

We’ve got wagging tails, curious whiskers… and a serious shortage of quality towels! 😅

Our crew goes through heaps of them every day, so we’re calling on our amazing community to help us restock! We aren't fussy, we just need them to be:

✅ Clean
🚫 No rips, holes, or super-tatty ones.

Got a stack sitting in the cupboard that you don’t use anymore? We’d LOVE to take them off your hands and turn them into cosy beds and warm dries for our furry guests 🐶🐱

Drop them into the shelter during opening hours — easy!

Thanks for always showing up for our animals, Ballarat. You’re the real MVPs 💚🐾

30/05/2026

🐾 Kennel Cough – Is Your Pooch Protected? 🐾

Kennel cough can strike at any time, especially if you have a social pup who loves the dog park! 🐕 While these outings are fantastic for your dog’s mental and physical wellbeing, shared spaces - and shared water bowls - can also increase the spread of illnesses.

💡 What is Kennel Cough?
A highly contagious respiratory infection that spreads easily between dogs in social settings such as parks, grooming salons and boarding facilities.

✅ The good news:
Kennel cough is easily treatable—but prevention is always better!

💉 Prevention tip:

Keep your dog’s vaccinations up to date. Chat with your vet about the kennel cough vaccine to give your furry friend the best protection.

⚠️ Watch for early signs:
- Lethargy (low energy)
- Loss of appetite
- A dry, wheezy cough (often described as sounding like a seal)
👉 Note: The cough is often the last symptom to appear.

🐶 Stay proactive, stay protected!
Regular vet check-ups and keeping vaccinations current can help keep your pup happy, healthy, and ready for their next adventure.

28/05/2026

Great news from last night's Council Meeting

26/05/2026

Training Tip Tuesday: Walks Are Essential (Not Optional!) 🐾

Dogs are built to move and explore - it’s in their DNA. Even if you have a big yard, your dog still needs:

✔ Daily walks
✔ New smells and experiences
✔ Time with you outside the home

To your dog, a yard is just a big kennel. Walks are what keep them mentally and physically healthy. If you don’t you may start to experience some doggy backlash such as barking, excessive digging or even some yard destruction.

Save yourself and your dog the stress and add a walk to your day, every day. You’ll both be thankful.