Holiday Closure Notice
Our team is taking a short break over the Christmas and New Year period, which means dog adoptions will be temporarily on pause while we’re closed.
You’re still very welcome to submit an expression of interest form during this time. Just note that applications won’t be reviewed until after we return to business on the 5 January 2026.
The Adoption Process
Deciding to adopt a dog is an exciting step! Our process helps make sure every dog finds a loving home where they’ll be safe, happy and well cared for.
For this reason, we make sure each adopter is ready and able to take on the responsibilities of pet ownership. Here’s how it works:
- Browse available dogs on our register below.
- Submit an Expression of Interest Form. If you are unable to fill out the online form, please contact customer service on (02) 4221 6111 for assistance. In some cases, we may receive more than one expression of interest for a particular dog. The decision is then entirely up to Shellharbour City Council to determine who is the most suitable choice for the dog.
- If you get to the next stage of adoption, you will be contacted by phone and be required to answer further questions.
- A meet and greet will be organised. We typically hold these at Warilla Dog Park. If you have other pets at home, we encourage you to bring them along. Based on the meet and greet, you will be able to decide whether you would like to finalise adoption immediately, or go home and think about it. We ask that you let us know your decision within 48 hours of the meet and greet.
- To finalise an adoption, you will need to attend Shellharbour Civic Centre to pay the relevant adoption fee and complete the required documentation. The adoption fee of $300 helps cover desexing, vaccination, microchipping and other care costs. You will be required to complete a Change of Ownership Form and Animal Adoption Declaration.
- Handover – we can either drop your new dog at your home if you live within the Shellharbour area, or meet you at Warilla Dog Park for the handover.
Why did the dog end up in Councils impound?
Dogs end up in our impound facility for many reasons. Some are lost, abandoned and left unclaimed after straying. While others are surrendered by owners who are no longer in a position to care for the dog.
Council is required by legislation to attempt to reunite all lost/stray dogs with their owner. If this hasn’t been successful, the dog then becomes available for rehoming.
What is the dog’s history?
In most cases, we cannot provide information about the dog’s life prior to its arrival at our impound facility. We can only share details relating to the dog’s time in our care. Any background, including past treatment, behaviour, training, living conditions, or health concerns are typically unknown.
What is the dog’s behaviour like?
The people that care for our dogs get to know every dog’s behaviour, preferences and temperament. Any personality traits or behaviours observed during their stay with us will be shared openly with potential adopters.
We encourage all potential adopters to research the breed of dog you are interested in as every breed has different energy levels, exercise requirements, grooming needs and most importantly varying temperaments. It’s important to understand the typical traits the dog may have so you can make sure the dog suits your lifestyle.
What is the dog’s vaccination and desexing status?
All dogs come microchipped, vaccinated, desexed and lifetime registered in NSW. If the dog is not already desexed, Council will organise to have to dog desexed before handover.
What requirements must I meet to adopt?
All potential adoptees must be over the age of 18 and live in NSW or ACT.
We do not offer/facilitate interstate adoptions.
Can I meet to dog before finalising adoption?
Yes! our team will facilitate and meet and greet at Warilla Dog Park.
Our impound facility is privately owned and operated by contractors on behalf of Council, and we must respect their privacy and workplace requirements. To protect the safety and confidentiality of our contractors, public access to the impound is not permitted.
What are the terms and conditions of adoption?
Please read the Adoption Deceleration Form that is mandatory for all adopters to sign. It outlines Council’s T&C’s.
What if I change my mind after adopting?
We offer a 7-day ‘cooling-off’ period for any change of mind. Once the 7-days has passed, you are solely responsible for rehoming the animal yourself.
Adoption fees are non-refundable under any circumstances, even if you return the animal during the cooling off period.
Why does Council charge an adoption fee?
Adoption fees help us cover the essential costs of caring for each dog while they’re with us. This includes things like vaccinations, microchipping, desexing, health checks, food, shelter, and daily care.
