Lost and found pets

What to do if you have lost your dog or cat

Tip: Check or update local social media pages to see if information about your pet is there.

1. Log into the NSW Pet Registry and update the status of your dog or cat as ‘missing’. Use the Contact us form if you are unable to update the registry.
2. Update the NSW Pet Registry or Contact us to let us know if your pet returns home.
3. Keep your contact details up-to-date on the NSW Pet Registry so we can contact you when your dog or cat is found.

Claiming your animal from the animal shelter

• Provide proof of identification, such as a drivers license, Medicare card, pension card or passport
• If you are collecting an animal on behalf of their owner, you must provide an authority from the owner via a signed letter or an email to animalshelter@ssc.nsw.gov.au
• All animals must be microchipped and registered before they are released from the shelter.

Fees

Before your pet is released, you may need to pay fees related to the shelter care, and for microchipping and registration. Please note Sutherland Shire Animal Shelter is now cashless.

Contact us if you have lost your dog or cat

What to do if you find a lost dog or cat

Tip: Check or update local social media pages to see if someone is missing their pet.

Dogs

• Contact us if you find a lost dog. You can also take the dog to a vet to check for a microchip
• Where possible, we will contact the owner return the dog. If dogs don’t have a microchip or we can’t contact the owner, they are taken to the Sutherland Shire Council Animal Shelter
• Dogs are kept at the Shelter for up to 14 days. If we are unable to locate the owner during this time, the animal may be offered for adoption.

Cats

• Laws differ for cats as they are permitted to roam. We are unable to impound lost cats but you can Contact us or the Animal Shelter for advice
• If you know who the cat belongs to, please return it
• If you don't know the owner, ask a vet to check for a microchip and to contact the owner.

Contact us if you find a lost dog or cat

Animal Seizure Log

If you hand over an animal to a Council officer, you must complete an Animal Seizure Log - PDF - 269 KB form.

When an animal is placed into the custody of a veterinary practice, they must complete the form. We may not be able to take custody of the animal if the form has not been completed and signed.