If your dog isn’t in the impound listing please contact the City of Port Adelaide Enfield on 8405 6600 to report your dog missing, so we can confirm whether we have it impounded or not, as it may not appear online yet. If the dog has not been impounded by Council we will record your dog as missing and contact you if found at a later date. In addition you should contact the Animal Welfare League on 8348 1300, the RSPCA on 1300 477 722 and any of your local vets. You may wish to use social media to report your dog missing as another way to get your pet home faster. When reporting a lost dog include its registration number, name, sex, breed, colour, age, whether microchipped or wearing a collar and any other identifiable features. Also include where your dog was last seen.

You must first verify your dog has been impounded by the City of PAE. To view impounded dogs, refer to the Impounded Dog Listing on our website or visit www.awl.org.au for the Animal Welfare League found listing. Once you have confirmed your dog has been impounded you must attend one of the following Council Offices.

Council Offices for reclaiming dogs:

• City of Port Adelaide Civic Centre, 163 St Vincent St, Port Adelaide
• Enfield Library, 1 Kensington Cres, Enfield
• Greenacres Library, 2 Fosters Rd, Greenacres

You will need to provide the AWL impound number relating to your dog. If you do not know the impound number contact Animal Welfare League on 8348 1300.

In order to release the dog you must bring ID (e.g. drivers licence, proof of age).

Please be aware dogs impounded by Council are only released once payment is received of all fees and charges relating to the impoundment of your dog, pursuant to section 62 of the Dog and Cat Management Act 1995. In addition, if your dog is not registered as required by section 33(1) of the Act, then it will require registration prior to release. If you are suffering financial hardship please discuss the options available with Council to ensure your dog is returned as soon as possible.

If you find a dog wandering in the street or to your home, contact Council so we can check our database to return the dog to its owner as soon as possible. If our records do not match an owner, a Community Safety Officer will attend and collect the dog. The dog may have a microchip we can scan to further inquire as to who owns the dog. If no owner is found the dog will be impounded at the Animal Welfare League and cared for by its staff until the owner is located. If no owner is found, the dog will go through the re-homing process with the Animal Welfare League.

If a dog is looking scared or aggressive do not approach the dog and contact Council immediately for a Community Safety Officer to attend and collect the dog safely.

Community Safety Officers are available 7 days a week between the hours of 7am and 10pm to collect wandering dogs. Outside of these hours Officers only attend to aggressive dogs. If you have found a dog outside these hours, please hold the dog and contact Council on 8405 6600 during business hours.

Please be aware that every dog owner has a responsibility to ensure their dog is contained to their property and does not pose a nuisance or threat to people or other dogs enjoying public spaces, as well as cause a hazard to road users. Dog owners can be liable for their dog’s actions if they are not properly secured. It is also an offence of section 43 of the Dog and Cat Management Act 1995 for a dog to wander at large. Penalties apply.

If your dog has wandered it’s important to understand why and make changes so this does not occur in the future. Simple things like ensuring your fences are secure with no gaps or areas to dig under and ensure it’s a height your dog can’t jump. Move things away from fences which may aid their jumping. Keep gates and roller doors locked and provide enrichment activities to keep your dog entertained in your absence. If this is a reoccurring problem you may need to consult with an animal behaviourist or your vet to determine the cause.