RSPCA Victoria has lost the contract to run Glenelg Shire pound services, which will bring to an end more than 14 years of running the Portland animal shelter.

Councillors voted unanimously on Tuesday night not to accept a tender from the RSPCA to operate the pound service from the RSPCA-owned Darts Rd shelter, one which would have seen the cost to ratepayers rise about 15 per cent to more than $400,000 a year.