How Council keeps stray & abandoned animals safe during lockdown

For the dogs and cats that find themselves lost or without somewhere to stay, Council’s rangers are there to help. Thankfully in our region, this isn’t the case for too many animals as lost animals are reunited quickly and others rehomed without delay.

However, the process of reuniting lost pets with their owners and rehoming stray and abandoned animals with foster families had to change when the latest lockdown was introduced. Our Public Health and Environment team acted quickly to plan out and start up no-contact pound pick-ups for lost pets. They have worked with foster and rehoming organisations to keep those vital services up and running safely.

Council would like to thank all of our rescue partners – RSPCA Snowy Monaro, 4Lyfe Rescue, Seniors and Silkies, Wally’s Dog Rescue, Great Dane Rescue and Rural Pound Aid – for their support during this lockdown. We are all in this together and collaboration is key to the success of the rescue work.

Through our cooperation with these groups, surrendered, abandoned and stray animals have been transported as far afield as Taree and Victoria to help them find a new home.

We have been fortunate to receive donations from Animal Rescue Cooperative, who delivered beds, jackets and toys from their base in Sydney. These donations mean that our Cooma pound is a much better place for our four-legged residents to spend time when they’re lost and scared.

Last financial year, 83% of animals that came into our pound were either sent home or rescued and rehomed. The year before, that number was 84%.

In the last two years more than 100 animals were rehomed through our wonderful rescue organisations.

Council is committed to the safety and wellbeing of our community – on two legs, and four – during this difficult time.

If you have any questions or would like to know more about keeping pets in the Snowy Monaro, please call 1300 345 345 and ask to talk to one of our friendly rangers.