by Bonnie Collings
When Meagan Kingham first laid eyes on Bessie the kelpie at the Baw Baw Shire animal pound, it was love at first sight.
In less than a week, Bessie - who began life as a stray - found her forever home and a new best friend.
The number of animals surrendered in Baw Baw Shire is increasing. Between October and December last year, 27 of the 84 unclaimed animals in the municipality were rehomed, according to the shire's 2024/25 second quarterly report.
Meagan shared her pet adoption story in the hope of encouraging more people to adopt animals from pounds and shelters.
After going through some tough times, including the loss of her parents, and with her cat getting older, Meagan decided it was time for another pet.
"It's just been me and my cat for 18 or so years," she said. "We've been through a lot. He's getting older and it's going to be heart breaking when he leaves me."
Meagan knew she wanted to adopt an animal rather than buy from a breeder.
"Saving an animal that was in need was far more important than getting (a specific breed)," Meagan said.
Meagan spent about three months searching animal rescue sites. One night, she decided to have another look at the council adoption page.
"I scrolled down, and there she was, her photo just melted me," Meagan said.
Bessie was picked up by the pound in Warragul in January. About three years old, she wasn't microchipped or de-sexed and didn't have any identification.
Bessie's photo was posted in the lost animals section of the shire website, but nobody claimed her.
She was then microchipped, de-sexed, vaccinated, health checked, registered with council and listed as an animal available for adoption.
After seeing Bessie's picture, Meagan filled out an adoption application without a second thought.
"They phoned me the next day and asked if I wanted to come down and have a look...I said yes and headed down to meet her straight away."
Meagan knew Bessie was the dog for her from that first meeting.
"It was just the look on her face. She was so quiet, she wasn't jumpy. They left us alone outside for a while. I went and sat down and she followed me, sat with me and was so placid and quiet."
Meagan signed the paperwork, paid the adoption fee and got to work preparing for Bessie to move in that weekend.
Bessie has now been living with Meagan for about eight weeks. She loves to run around at Meagan's family farm, learn new tricks like how to shake hands and rollover, play with her toys and have cuddle time.
"I wasn't looking for a kelpie working dog, but she's fit in beautifully and it's got me off the couch more to give her walks," Meagan said. "My health is only going to improve as well."
"I saved her, but she saved me."
Meagan's advice for someone looking to adopt an animal is to not rush into it, choose an animal that will suit your home and your lifestyle.
"Look around on all the websites that offer rehoming and get what suits you," she said. "It's more heartbreak for the animals and more work for the shelters when an animal comes back. They've formed a bond with the animal, when they see the animal come back, it's heart breaking for them."
Shire planning and development director Luke Connell reminded residents to register their animals, describing pet ownership as "not a responsibility to treat lightly."
"Once you own a pet it is up to you to ensure it is looked after properly and well secured," he said. If your pet gets lost and is not registered, it makes it far harder for us to reunite you with your loved one."
Mr Connell said a key issue across the shire was a failure to de-sex animals, resulting in increased pressure on rescue groups and pounds.
"Council officers regularly attend properties with multiple cats that have not been de-sexed and have had kittens," he said.
"What people don't realise is that the shelters and rescue groups that council work with are already struggling with capacity issues, and excess cats and kittens only adds to the pressure already being experienced. De-sexing your pet is an important choice you can make that has far-reaching benefits."
Mr Connell encouraged anyone looking for a new pet to consider adopting from the pound.
"There are so many dogs and cats out there who have been surrendered and are looking for their forever home, and adopting a pet is an extremely rewarding experience," he said. "Research the type of animal that's the best fit for your family and home and carefully consider which breed you're capable of looking after."
"We want to take care of our local animals, but we need our community to help us do this."