Rehoming and euthanasia rates
Rehoming impounded animals
Council has a duty to care for animals that are surrendered or impounded.
We work closely with Friends of The Pound to rehome animals where possible. There are times when some animals are unsuitable for rehoming (such as being too aggressive, injured or feral).
By law, dogs declared as a restricted breed, dangerous dog or menacing dog cannot be sold. This includes adoption, rescue or rehoming.
The Companion Animals Act and vet codes and standards guide councils about the euthanasia of animals that are unsuitable for rehoming. Vets and trained Council officers can carry out the procedures.
Guidelines include:
- a companion animal that is surrendered can be euthanised without any holding period in a Council pound
- a companion animal which has been microchipped and has been impounded must be held for a minimum period of 14 days before they can be euthanised
- a companion animal that has not been microchipped and has been impounded must be held for a minimum period of 7 days before they can be euthanised
- there are instances of extreme injuries or animal conditions which necessitate the emergency euthanasia of animals.
Council works with local vets who carry out animal health checks and perform euthanasia procedures when required.
NSW councils must record details of all animals through NSW Pet Registry.
Council has very good rehoming rates for companion animals. This is due to the excellent pound facility, rehoming services by the Friends of the Pound, and dedicated, well trained pound and ranger staff.
Euthanasia and rehoming rates for impounded dogs
Definition of Titles
Unsuitable – temperament - cannot be handled (1), aggressive (2), fence jumper (3), incident at the pound (attack) (4) and not fit for sale (birth defect (5) or severe injury (6) and Friends of the Pound can’t rehome (or other rescue groups). Decision to euthanise animal is made by Council staff and the veterinarian undertaking vet check, based on criteria within a Council procedure.
Unable to rehome - unable to sell or rehome with Friends of the Pound or other rescue groups.
Owner Request - Owners tick the “euthanased” box on the Surrender Form (generally as a result of an incident).
Stats for dogs 2022/23
2022/
2023 |
Total
In |
Restricted |
Dangerous |
1 |
2 |
3 |
4 |
5 |
6 |
Unable to rehome |
Owner request |
Illness |
Feral |
Total euth |
Total euth % |
Council controlled euth % |
| Jul |
7 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
4 |
0 |
5 |
71 |
14 |
| Aug |
11 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
2 |
0 |
3 |
27 |
0 |
| Sep |
7 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
| Oct |
4 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
0 |
1 |
25 |
0 |
| Nov |
11 |
2 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
0 |
3 |
27 |
0 |
| Dec |
12 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
Stats for dogs since 2010/11
| Year |
Total |
Restricted |
Dangerous |
Unsuitable |
Unable to rehome |
Owner request |
Illness/ sick |
Feral/ infant |
Total euth |
Total euth % |
Council controlled euth % |
| 2021/22 |
162 |
2 |
0 |
12 |
2 |
3 |
4 |
3 |
26 |
16 |
7 |
| 2020/21 |
170 |
2 |
1 |
14 |
0 |
7 |
4 |
0 |
28 |
16 |
8 |
| 2019/20 |
205 |
0 |
0 |
13 |
0 |
15 |
5 |
0 |
32 |
16 |
6 |
| 2018/19 |
387 |
2 |
0 |
22 |
0 |
21 |
7 |
1 |
53 |
14 |
6 |
| 2017/18 |
410 |
0 |
0 |
42 |
0 |
22 |
12 |
5 |
71 |
17 |
10 |
| 2016/17 |
571 |
0 |
0 |
191 |
0 |
12 |
1 |
2 |
116 |
29 |
17 |
| 2015/16 |
588 |
0 |
0 |
115 |
0 |
11 |
3 |
2 |
131 |
22 |
20 |
| 2014/15 |
637 |
0 |
0 |
92 |
0 |
21 |
9 |
3 |
125 |
20 |
14 |
| 2013/14 |
635 |
0 |
0 |
88 |
0 |
7 |
2 |
0 |
97 |
15 |
14 |
| 2012/13 |
679 |
3 |
0 |
77 |
0 |
15 |
7 |
0 |
102 |
15 |
11 |
| 2011/12 |
664 |
2 |
2 |
98 |
0 |
31 |
0 |
0 |
133 |
20 |
15 |
| 2010/11 |
504 |
1 |
2 |
74 |
1 |
27 |
1 |
0 |
196 |
21 |
15 |
Euthanasia and rehoming rates for impounded cats
Definition of Titles
Unsuitable – temperament - cannot be handled (1), aggressive (2), fence jumper (3), incident at the pound (attack) (4) and not fit for sale (birth defect (5) or severe injury (6) and Friends of the Pound can’t rehome (or other rescue groups). Decision to euthanise animal is made by Council staff and the veterinarian undertaking vet check, based on criteria within a Council procedure.
Unable to rehome - unable to sell or rehome with Friends of the Pound or other rescue groups.
Owner Request - Owners tick the “euthanased” box on the Surrender Form (generally as a result of an incident).
Stats for cats 2022/23
2022/
2023 |
Total
In |
1 |
2 |
3 |
4 |
5 |
6 |
Unable to rehome |
Owner request |
Illness |
Feral |
Total euth |
Total euth % |
Council controlled euth % |
| Jul |
11 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
4 |
0 |
4 |
36 |
0 |
| Aug |
8 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
2 |
0 |
2 |
25 |
0 |
| Sep |
7 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
0 |
1 |
14 |
0 |
| Oct |
6 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
2 |
0 |
2 |
33 |
0 |
| Nov |
8 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
3 |
4 |
50 |
0 |
| Dec |
8 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
4 |
0 |
4 |
50 |
0 |
Stats for cats since 2010/11
| Year |
Total |
Unsuitable |
Unable to rehome |
Owner request |
Illness/ sick |
Feral/ infant |
Total euth |
Total euth % |
Council controlled euth % |
| 2021/22 |
106 |
0 |
1 |
0 |
19 |
25 |
45 |
42 |
0 |
| 2020/21 |
115 |
2 |
0 |
0 |
18 |
20 |
40 |
34 |
2 |
| 2019/20 |
110 |
4 |
1 |
0 |
7 |
6 |
10 |
18 |
4 |
| 2018/19 |
231 |
7 |
0 |
1 |
29 |
21 |
58 |
25 |
3 |
| 2017/18 |
291 |
25 |
0 |
2 |
21 |
12 |
60 |
21 |
9 |
| 2016/17 |
236 |
43 |
1 |
2 |
14 |
22 |
82 |
35 |
18 |
| 2015/16 |
247 |
58 |
0 |
2 |
6 |
20 |
86 |
35 |
18 |
| 2014/15 |
204 |
20 |
0 |
0 |
17 |
16 |
53 |
26 |
10 |
| 2013/14 |
253 |
39 |
0 |
3 |
7 |
22 |
71 |
28 |
15 |
| 2012/13 |
192 |
32 |
0 |
1 |
10 |
20 |
63 |
33 |
17 |
| 2011/12 |
223 |
80 |
0 |
2 |
n/a |
n/a |
82 |
37 |
36 |
| 2010/11 |
294 |
86 |
0 |
8 |
n/a |
n/a |
94 |
32 |
29 |