Covid-19: Temporary Changes at the Home

Around the world, COVID-19 is a huge threat to us all. The pandemic has ground the world to a halt, but every day, council rangers continue to arrive at the Home with Sydney’s lost and abandoned pets. While our work reuniting lost pets with owners and rehoming abandoned pets continues, we’ve had to make some changes to the way we operate to protect the health and safety of everyone who enters the Home including staff, volunteers and visitors. We will keep this page updated as changes occur.

Procedures and safety protocols now in place are as follows:

Reclaiming lost pets

To maintain social distancing requirements and ensure our staff, volunteers and visitors stay healthy, we are limiting the number of people coming to the shelter at any given time.  Reuniting lost pets with their owners however remains a priority for us.

If you need to reclaim your lost pet, please call the shelter team on 9587 9611.  Our team members will talk you through the documentation needed and relevant council statutory requirements to reclaim your pet as well as organising a time for the reunion.

Adoptions

One of the most significant changes is that adoptions are now organised by appointment only. Sadly, in the current environment, we are unable to welcome members of the community dropping in to view the pets in our care.

If you are interested in adopting a pet from Sydney Dogs & Cats Home, our current process is as follows:

1. Go to our website: sydneydogsandcatshome.org/adopt
2. Select the pet you think will suit your lifestyle and family
3. Email the shelter at info@sydneydogsandcatshome.org to request an application form (please note: the name of the pet and the Animal ID can be found on the pet’s profile page)
4. Upon receipt of your request, an application will be sent and/or a member of the shelter team will call you for a more comprehensive chat. The staff will advise you if there are any special requirements or steps involved in adopting your particular animal.
5. If the adoption proceeds:
   • you will be emailed the relevant paperwork to be filled out and emailed back before you pick up the animal
   • payment will be made via credit/debit card over the phone or by non-contact payment at the shelter for cash payments
   • the staff will book a time for you to pick up your new family member.

We realise this process is a bit different, but we are here to help you with your new pet as you settle them in. All adoptions come with a three week trial period so you will have time to get to know your animal’s personality at home before finalising the adoption.

We are currently experiencing a significant increase in phone and email traffic and are working with a reduced number of team members, so please be patient as we get to your adoption enquiries.

Foster Care Program

Please note: it may be a several weeks before you receive a response to your foster application.

Information and applications for our foster care program can be found here:  https://sydneydogsandcatshome.org/get-involved/foster/

With self-quarantining in place, we have benefited from an influx of people looking to foster our shelter pets. We are deeply grateful for the support of our foster carers and applicants, but given our limited resources, please be aware it may take us several weeks to respond to your application.

We appreciate your patience and encourage you to get in touch with other local animal rescue group to enquire about foster opportunities.

Volunteer Program

Please note: it may be a several weeks before you receive a response to your volunteer application.

Information and applications for our volunteer program can be found here.

With social distancing laws in place, there have been a few changes at our site in Carlton to ensure the health and safety of everyone who enters the Home. We are deeply grateful for the support of our Volunteers and applicants, however, given these changes, please be aware it may take us several weeks to respond to your volunteer application.

We appreciate your patience and encourage you to get in touch with other local animal rescue group to enquire about foster opportunities.

General enquiries

For other enquiries, please email us at info@sydneydogsandcatshome.org. We are receiving an influx of enquiries, so please be aware it may be a little while before you receive a response. We appreciate your patience during this time.

We need your support!

We are dealing with an immediate loss of income with fundraising events being cancelled due to social distancing laws. We urgently need your support to help meet the shortfalls from our cancelled events and activities. If you are able to support us during this time and are in a position to donate, please consider contributing to our Crisis Appeal.

Updated 17 July 2020