Lost Dogs’ Home shines spotlight on its Animal Behaviour Centre

In the heart of North Melbourne, the Lost Dogs’ Home has been a sanctuary for animals in need for more than a century.

Known widely for its shelter and adoption services, the organisation is now encouraging locals to discover one of its most impactful though perhaps lesser-known offerings; the Animal Behaviour Centre.

Behaviour team manager and animal program manager Jade Currie told North West City News that the centre was established to support both adopters and the wider pet-owning community with expert, hands-on assistance for dogs and cats.

“If you’ve adopted from us and need help settling your pet in – or if you’re experiencing behavioural issues at home – our team can provide thorough assessments, tailored advice, and follow-up support,” Ms Currie said.

The service goes beyond post-adoption care. The Animal Behaviour Centre works with pet owners across the community, offering home visits within 10 kilometres of North Melbourne, as well as online consultations for those further afield. Each consultation includes a full behavioural history, an in-person or virtual assessment, a written report, and ongoing guidance.

The centre also runs kitten kindergarten and puppy preschool classes at its North Melbourne site, helping new owners start their pets off on the right paw. Importantly, it caters to both species – something Ms Currie believes is unique in the City of Melbourne.

“There may be individual trainers in the area, but nothing like what we offer out of a dedicated centre, with programs for both dogs and cats,” she said.

The Animal Behaviour Centre is just one arm of the Lost Dogs’ Home’s broader behaviour services. Shelter-based behaviour teams operate in both North Melbourne and Cranbourne, assessing every dog that enters care and working with those in need of rehabilitation. A community-facing team supports foster carers, provides outreach programs, and delivers training and education across Melbourne.

These community programs are as varied as they are accessible. The Dogs in the Park initiative offers free training sessions in local communities, aiming to address behaviour issues before they escalate.

There’s also the Pawsitive Pals program for children, teaching safety around dogs and the basics of animal care, and regular microchipping events to help ensure lost pets can be quickly reunited with their owners.

Recently, the team launched High Rise Hounds, an educational seminar delivered in partnership with apartment complexes, covering topics such as responsible pet ownership, common behaviour challenges in high-density living, and local laws.

The importance of this education focus is growing, particularly in light of the City of Melbourne’s incoming animal management laws. From October, a dusk-to-dawn cat curfew will take effect alongside mandatory desexing. This proactive approach underpins much of the Animal Behaviour Centre’s philosophy. By tackling behaviour issues early – whether that’s easing a rescue cat’s anxiety, helping a dog adjust to apartment life, or teaching a new puppy the basics – the centre aims to strengthen the bond between pets and their people, and reduce the likelihood of animals being surrendered.

For Ms Currie, who first joined the Lost Dogs’ Home in 2016, the work is deeply rewarding – describing her role as a “dream job”.

Locals interested in booking a consultation, joining a training program, or finding out more about the Lost Dogs’ Home Animal Behaviour Centre can visit dogshome.com or contact the North Melbourne site directly. •