You need to ensure your contact details up to date for your lost pet to be returned to you as quickly as possible.
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. As such an unattended cat may only be seized by someone, and 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,*
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 9330 6400 and 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 section of this page). Similarly if a cat trespasses on your property or may be unowned, it may only be seized in accordance with the three points listed above, otherwise a person or Council may not impound those animals. A penalty of up to $3300 applies if a person seizes an animal contrary to the Act.
Where you are able to take the animal to Council's pound - Contact Council on 9330 6400 to make arrangements with an authorised Council Officer and then take it to Sydney Dogs and Cats Home (Council's Pound) at 77 Edward Street, Carlton, PH: 9587 9611.
Where you are unable to take the animal to Council's pound - Call Council’s Customer Service Centre on 9330 6400 who will arrange for Council’s Animal Management Contractor to collect the animal and either return it to its owner or take it to Council’s pound.
If you find that your animal is held at either an approved premises or Council's pound, Sydney Dogs and Cats Home at 77 Edward St Carlton, any impounding fees must be paid when the animal is released and the following must be provided to prove you are the owner of the animal prior to the animal’s release;
Photographic identification card e.g. driver’s license,
Animals that are not microchipped** and/or not registered, will have to be microchipped/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 rehomed if;
not microchipped and housed at the pound for 14 days,
microchipped and held at the pound for 7 days.
If the animal is not injured, not a native animal and the owner can’t be located, it should be taken to the nearest public pound within 48 hours. Council's Pound is located at Sydney Dogs and Cats Home, 77 Edward Street, Carlton NSW 2218, 9587 9611. WIRES should be contacted for any native animals. Council Impounding Officers may only legally seize the following types of animals if found unattended in a public place; dogs, cats, cattle, horses, donkeys, mules, asses, camels, sheep, goats, pigs and deer. If you find any other animal in a public place, please take it to Council's pound. NB. Vets are under no obligation to accept an animal that has been found that is uninjured.
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If you wish to raise a particular issue with us, we recommend you raise a Customer Service Request. This will ensure your matter is scheduled with the appropriate teams and will allow you to track the progress of the issue.
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