Frequently Asked Questions

Updated 27 May 2025

About Sydney Dogs & Cats Home

I have found a stray animal. Can you take it?  

If you find a stray animal, we recommend starting by knocking on doors in the area where the animal was found to inquire if anyone recognises it. If the owner cannot be located, please take the animal to your local veterinary clinic to check for a microchip. Alternatively, you can contact your local council, which operates its own animal holding facility. 

As a council impound service, we care for lost and abandoned pets from various council areas across Sydney. We only accept animals brought to us by council rangers within the specific council areas we serve. 

Each council manages its own holding facility, and it is preferable to keep the animal within the council area where it was found. This helps ensure that the owner can more easily locate their lost pet. 

I have found a stray kitten, what do I do? 

We’re a council impound service that cares for lost and abandoned pets from multiple council areas across Sydney. We can only take stray cats when they’re brought in by council rangers. Your best contact would be your local council. However, keep in mind that cats are free to roam according to NSW legislation, and council will only take them in special circumstances (e.g. illness, injury, causing nuisance, harming wildlife, near food prep area).  

 If it is a young kitten, most likely mum is nearby. She might be off getting food, or in the process of moving her litter. Do not pick up the kitten (unless it is in immediate danger) without first observing to see if mum will come back. It is ideal for all kittens to stay with mum until at least 8 weeks of age.  

I want to surrender my pet, how can I do that? 

At Sydney Dogs & Cats Home, we can only accept surrenders of owned animals when we have the capacity and resources to do so. As our primary focus is on animals without a home, we recommend contacting organisations that specialise in private surrenders. A comprehensive list of these organisations can be found on here. Please note that these rescues are independent and not affiliated with Sydney Dogs & Cats Home, nor have they been formally vetted by our organisation.

 

I’ve lost my pet. Do you have it? 

Sorry to hear that. All the lost pets who come into our care are listed on our website here. If the animal is microchipped, we will contact you as soon as they come into our care. You can email your details to info@sdch.org.au, and we can add them to our lost log. 

The first thing to do when your pet goes missing is make sure your pet’s microchip details are up to date and their chip is marked as ‘Missing’. We recommend reaching out to your local council’s animal holding facility and logging your lost pet with them.  

You can also post on your local community Facebook page, reach out to your local vet, put up flyers and door knock around your neighbourhood.

 

What legislation are you acting under? 

We are legally required to abide by the NSW Companion Animals Act 1998 and the associated Companion Animals Regulations and Codes of Practice  

 For more information about Sydney Dogs & Cats Home, click here.

About Fundraising 

How do you spend donors’ money? 

Funds raised go towards supporting the abandoned and neglected animals in our care. That includes purchasing food, providing them with shelter, paying rent, electricity and other bills, buying vet equipment, and supporting vet and animal care work. 

Are donations tax-deductible? 

Yes.  Gifts to Sydney Dogs & Cats Home are allowed deductions under section 78(1)(a) of the Tax Act. Our Charity Fundraising Number (CFN) is 16738. 

About our new home in Kurnell 

 Why do we need to move to Kurnell? 

Our previous facilities at Carlton could not meet the growing number of lost, abandoned and neglected animals that we’re seeing.  The site was also scheduled for redevelopment by the lease owner. Now we are in temporary facilities that do not have the space to help people and pets as needed.   

How much money is needed? 

We have the land and cornerstone funding from NSW Government to start the build. Now we urgently need $8 million to complete the build. 

What will your new shelter be able to do? 

Investment in building our new home is an investment in the future of animal welfare, vet services and community outreach programs. 

Once we build Kurnell, we will be able to: 

• Double our support to over 3,000 incoming animals every year. 

• Grow adoptions to over 2,000 annually. 

• Help reunite over 1,000 lost pets with their families annually. 

• Increase foster care placements to over 800 pets awaiting adoption. 

• Grow the current service offering to support more Sydney Councils. 

• Support Sydneysiders in more than 200 suburbs. 

• Improve Sydney’s animal welfare and management. 

• Extend our community outreach programs to improve the health and wellbeing of vulnerable Sydneysiders in aged care, domestic violence situations, provide mental health support to a variety of groups, and support people in criminal justice programs. 

•  Provide TAFE and University students studying veterinary sciences with research, training and practical education opportunities.