Shellharbour City Council is committed to promoting best practice by establishing clear guidelines and standards for the community in relation to keeping animals within the Shellharbour Local Government area. The principles by which the Council will regulate the number of animals kept on premises is primarily guided by the Local Government Act 1993 and Companion Animals Act 1998. Local Government Act 1993 and Companion Animals Act 1998. This is reflected in our adopted Keeping of Animals in Residential Areas Policy, find out more information here.

To find out more about our Dog friendly spaces, please head here.

 

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Responsible dog ownership

Find out about your responsibilities as a pet owner in Shellharbour, as well as information on reporting animal-related issues.
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Lost and found animals

Find out what you need to do if you have lost or found a pet or if you would like to adopt a dog.
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Registering your pet

It is important to register your pet with us and keep microchip details up to date.
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Barking and nuisance dogs

What to do about barking or nuisance dogs in your neighbourhood.
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Dog attacks, dangerous and restricted dogs

What classifies a dog as dangerous or 'restricted' and what to do in the event of a dog attack.
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Exercising your dog

Off leash areas across Shellharbour where your dog can play and get exercise.
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Cats

How to be a responsible cat owner and what to do about a nuisance cat
Last updated : Mon 16 Jun 2025