The Lost Dogs’ Home in Melbourne is still uncertain of its future, three years after the state government confirmed it would be relocated.

In 2022, the Victorian Government said it would relocate the Lost Dogs’ Home to make way for a housing and development project as part of the Arden Precinct. At the time, it said the location of the Lost Dogs’ Home would be used as a community-based active recreation area and the heritage building repurposed. However, in tender documents submitted last year, the space is marked as ‘water management’.

In a letter obtained by The Age, written by Lost Dogs’ Home CEO Grant Robb to the state government in July 2024, Robb said the charity had concerns that the compensation package offered by government for the land will not be sufficient to properly compensate them for the acquisition of the land and meet its relocation needs on a ‘like for like’ basis as previously advised by Department of Transport and Planning (DTP).

Facing an unsure future, the shelter says that it will have to consider maintenance and repairs, alongside the timing of any relocation, to ensure continuity of its services.

“Our premises at the land comprise ageing facilities, having substantial maintenance and repair needs which we have postponed year on year, due to the proposed acquisition of the land by government and our resulting relocation,” Robb said in the letter.

“It is not reasonable for us to continue delaying some of these works which are required to meet animal welfare and workplace health and safety needs, while we continue in our negotiations with government for a further period.”

Established in 1910, the home provides care to over 18,000 animals each year, with 49 new animals arriving every day. It also employs 250 staff and has 150 volunteers.

A spokesperson for the Lost Dogs’ Home said that they have always negotiated in good faith with the state government and will always continue to do so in order to reach the best possible solution in the interest of the welfare of animals who come to the Home.

“The state government has assured us that we will have a minimum of three years to relocate from the site once the acquisition process has commenced.

“The safety and care of every single one of these animals entrusted to us remains our top priority. Similarly, the safety and wellbeing of our 250 staff and 150 volunteers is also a key priority.”

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