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Where the owner cannot be contacted (often due to out-of-date contact details or the dog not being microchipped and registered), Council will take them to a vet to be vaccinated, health checked, administered a worm, tick,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.
Why are stray animals held in regional pounds as well as local facilities?
There is an influx of stray animals that are entering pounds across Australia, and capacity at these facilities is very limited. To ensure Council can hold, reunite or rehome these animals, there is greater opportunity to place these animals across a number of facilities to ensure capacity is available.
Council is offering a door-to-door service for stray animals, so there is no impact to residents in relation to where the animals is being held. Council staff will return animals that are reclaimed.
What Vets are we working with?
Council is working with a number of local vets in obtaining a service to vaccinate, health check and microchip any stray animals prior to them going to an impound facility.
Whilst some vets have previously assisted the community by holding stray animals, particularly after-hours, Council does not have any such arrangements in place, and it is up to an individual vet to decide whether they accept a stray or not. Residents should call first prior to attending.
I sold or gave my dog away, what do I need to do?
Recent changes to the Companion Animals Act 1998 have introduced new registration requirements for companion animals. All companion animals must be microchipped and registered by 12 weeks of age, or when first transferred, sold or given away to another person (whichever comes first). You must also ensure that the new owner’s details are transferred and recorded on the NSW Pet Registry. If you need assistance, please contact us on 4221 6111.
If you have sold or given away your animal, you are responsible to ensure the ownership details have been changed. The owner of an animal, as recorded on the Pet Registry, may remain liable for all fees and charges incurred by that animal, including any fines, unless the new owners details have been notified. It is an offence to sell, transfer or give away an animal without transferring the animal to the new owner.
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.
What do I do if I find an injured native animal?
If you find an injured or orphaned native animal, please contact WIRES by calling 1300 094 737 or by reporting a rescue online.