The Companion Animals Act 1993 (the Act) does not impose the same stringent restrictions on unattended cats as it does for the owners of dogs. In NSW, cats are not required to be responsibly controlled and are only prohibited from certain areas.

As such an unattended cat may only be seized by someone if:

• It is reasonable and necessary for the protection of any animal (other than vermin) from injury or death.
• It is in a public place within 10m of a food preparation/consumption area (for the cat’s own protection).
• If it is in a wildlife protection area (for the cat’s own protection).

If you observe a cat, that while unattended meets any of the three points outlined above, please contact Council on (02) 9330 6400. You will need to make arrangements with an authorised officer to have the animal caught and either returned to its owner, taken to the Council pound or taken to an approved premises (please see the Approved Premises drop down on this page).

Similarly if a cat trespasses on your property or appears to be unowned, it may only be seized in accordance with the three points listed above, otherwise Council will not permit those animals to be impounded.

A cat must not be seized solely on the basis that it is unattended. Penalties of up to $3,300.00 may apply if a person seizes an animal contrary to the Act.

If you find a dog roaming or unattended, you should first try to contact the owner by checking if the dog is wearing a collar and identification tag. You may take the dog to an approved premise such as a vet clinic so it can be scanned for a microchip.

If you are unable to safely approach the dog or the owner cannot be found you should contact Council as soon as possible.

• Contact Council on (02) 9330 6400 to have an authorised Council Officer collect the dog. 

Dogs are not permitted to be unattended when away from the property they are usually kept.

The dog owner’s details will be obtained from the information linked on the implanted microchip. If the dog is correctly microchipped and the details are up to date, it will be returned to its owner where possible or taken to Sydney Dogs and Cats Home.

If you find that your animal is held at an approved premises or Council's pound, Sydney Dogs and Cats Home, any impounding fees must be paid when the animal is released. The following must be provided to prove you are the owner of the animal prior to the animal’s release.

• Photographic identification card such as a driver’s license.
• If you are picking up the animal on behalf of an owner, a letter of authority from the owner is required before the animal can be released.

Animals that are not microchipped and/or not registered, will have to be microchipped and registered before they can be released.  

A statutory declaration indicating that you are the legal owner of the animal may be required before the animal can be microchipped and released to you.

If an animal is not collected by its owner or someone on their behalf, it may be re-homed if;

• Not microchipped and housed at the pound for 7 days.
• Microchipped and held at the pound for 14 days.

• Beverly Hills Animal Hospital: 158 Stoney Creek Road, Beverly Hills, (02) 9580 3109.

• Blakehurst Veterinary Hospital: 1002 King Georges Road, Blakehurst, (02) 9098 9134.

• St George Animal Hospital: 325 Princes Highway, Carlton, (02) 9587 3599.

• Sydney Dogs and Cats Home: 77 Edward Street, Carlton, (02) 9587 9611.

• Princes Highway Vet Hospital: 30 Princes Highway, Kogarah, (02) 9588 2088.

• Greencross Vets - Mortdale: 42 Pitt Street, Mortdale, (02) 9580 6910.

• Boundary Road Vet Hospital: 121 Boundary Road, Peakhurst, (02) 9584 9608.

Council Officers are only permitted to seize certain animals under the Impounding Act if found unattended in a public place. These animals are cattle, horses, donkeys, mules, asses, camels, sheep, goats, pigs and deer.
 
If any other non-native animal is found on public or private land, please contact the RSCPA or another animal re-homing organisation.

WIRES should be contacted for any native animals.

Please note: that any animal that has been found injured, should be taken to the nearest vet for treatment.

For any deceased animal located on public land, Council may be contacted to have the animal collected. Any deceased cats or dogs will be scanned and if correctly identified, the owner will be notified.

Any deceased animal located on private land will be the responsibility of the occupier of that land.