The pound, which has a low euthanasia rate, promotes animal adoption through a Facebook page and rescue website Petrescue, and was featured in the Pedigree Pal Adoption Drive video Underdogs.

"They have a really good save rate," Jyl Hershman-Ross, an animal behaviorist with rescue group Forever Friends, says in the video.

Compliance officer Kassie Loader said the pound had acquired its good reputation by being proactive.

"Nearly all of our dogs are listed up for adoption early on. It's also about using networks. If we get really full we use other animal rescue groups to assist. Social networking is incredible; people share pages and links and the amount of people it reaches is great."

The pound uses local vets to adopt out kittens and utilises foster carers and behaviour training for animals taking longer to re-house.

All animals are desexed, microchipped and have their temperament assessed.

A spokeswoman from Petrescue said they were proud to be associated with the pound.

"The staff are amazing and really care for the animals that come into care."

Trish Burke, of animal shelter Pet's Haven, said staff at the pound "knew their animals and their history well".

"They brought in a ginger cat once and he was really, really timid. Usually a pound would euthanase that animal. But they [knowing cat's history] said pat him and he purrs. He ended up being a great cat."

Council spokesman Phil Weir said people travelled from across the state to adopt from the pound.

According to the Department of Primary Industries, an estimated 50,000 dogs and 35,000 cats are killed each year in Victoria.