Lost Dogs
Shellharbour City Council is the local impounding authority under the Companion Animals Act 1998. We may seize dogs under certain circumstances.
 | Collin*
Collin is lost - If you are (or know) the owner of Collin, please contact Council on (02) 4221 6111 and speak to one of our friendly team members. |
 | Harry
Harry is lost - If you are (or know) the owner of Harry, please contact Council on (02) 4221 6111 and speak to one of our friendly team members. |
 | Havoc
Havoc is lost - If you are (or know) the owner of Havoc, please contact Council on (02) 4221 6111 and speak to one of our friendly team members. |
How to claim your pet
1. Pay the fees
You will need to make arrangements with Council to pay any fees before your pet can be released. Fees can be paid at the Shellharbour Civic Centre Customer Service Desk, alternatively you can pay over the phone on (02) 4221 6111 or complete our Animal Return form for a Shellharbour City Council Officer to organise your pets return.
If you have difficulty paying please or if you require financial hardship assistance, contact us on (02) 4221 6111. See our Fees and Charges webpage for details.
If your pet is not already microchipped and registered you will need to pay all registration fees prior to your animals return. See the NSW Government's current registration fees.
2. Proof of Ownership
Animals can only be returned to the owner in person or an appointed agent. You will need to provide personal identification that matches the ownership information recorded in the animal’s registration and microchip details. If your animal is not microchipped or registered, you will need to provide a statutory declaration confirming your ownership claim before we can release your pet.
3. Returning your animal
Once you have made arrangements to pay any outstanding fees and charges, notify our Council staff on (02) 4221 6111 or complete our Animal Return form, to arrange to be reunited with your pet by Council Officers.
Frequently asked questions
Always ensure your dog or cat is microchipped. If any information on your pet’s microchip has changed you must let us know us as soon as possible. Information can be updated almost immediately and will assist our rangers to return your pet home if they become lost. In addition to being microchipped all dogs, except working dogs, have to wear a collar and tag showing the dog's name and your address or telephone number when outside your property.
Help, I lost my dog. What do I do?
Please call Council on (02) 4221 6111 to see if your dog has been found and collected. You can also visit Council's Lost Dog Registry to see if your dog has been listed. Our City Regulation Team want to see pets safe and cared for, and will do their best to return your lost dog home.
If possible, we recommend checking local social media groups that share lost and found pets.
What do I do if I find a lost or stray dog?
If you have found a lost dog, please call Council on (02) 4221 6111 to arrange collection.
- Council has limited resources to offer a full 24-hour service and may not be available to pick up a roaming or stray dog outside of business hours.
- If you secure the animal in your care overnight, Council will attend and collect the animal the following day (including weekends and public holidays).
- Dangerous or aggressive dogs should be reported to Council’s after-hours service or alternatively to NSW Police .
- You can also check or share any information with local and community social media groups that help reunite lost and found pets.
What happens when a dog is collected by Council, what is the process?
Where the owner cannot be contacted (often due to out-of-date contact details or the dog not being microchipped and registered), Council will take them to a vet to be vaccinated, health checked, administered a worm, tick, flea treated and microchipped (if required). The dog is then transferred to a local facility where they are looked after for up to five days. If they are unable to be reunited with their original owner, they will be relocated to a regional facility. Our new partnering facilities have a strong focus on providing positive enrichment programs and experiences, where dogs have greater access to outdoor open spaces, training, and opportunities to socialise with other dogs. The dogs are carefully assessed during this time to ensure they are suitable for adoption or rehoming.
Council advertise lost dogs through the Lost Dogs Registry on its website and on social media. If an owner comes forward, there is a legal requirement that the animal must be registered and all outstanding fees and charges paid prior to Council returning the animal to its home.
If the owner is not identified prior to the expiry of the required holding period, Council is legally required to offer the animal to at least two rehoming organisations, as well as advertise the animal for adoption on our website and social media.
All adopted or rehomed animals are microchipped, life-time registered, vaccinated, health checked, desexed, treated for worms/ticks/fleas. A small adoption fee to help cover the costs may apply.
I want to surrender my pet. How do I do that?
It is the owner’s responsibility to find a new home for an unwanted dog. If you are unable to rehome your pet yourself, you can surrender your pet to Council by calling (02) 4221 6111.
If you choose to surrender your pet to Council, we do charge a fee. Please see our Fees and Charges here.
Will there be fees and charges to collect my lost pet?
Yes, to collect your lost pet you will need to pay a release fee, daily sustenance and maintenance and any veterinary costs associated with Council holding your pet. Please contact Council to discuss payment options, including hardship applications.
Will you be made to desex and register your pet before getting it back?
Animals that have been impounded will be released to their owner without the need for desexing. However, prior to the release of an impounded animal, the animal must be microchipped and registered. The registration fees for a desexed animal are greatly reduced.
Any animals that are offered for adoption, will be microchipped and desexed before being placed in their new home.
What do I do if I find a deceased pet?
Council will only collect deceased animals from public land and not private property.
Report a deceased animal on Council land here.
What happens with feral cats?
Council is currently working on introducing a feral and infant animal policy, which will inform the best outcomes for these types of animals.