The goal of the Shelter is to prevent the unnecessary euthanasia of healthy, loving domestic pets.

From August 1999 until today, the Shelter has turned around the euthanasia rate with the help of dedicated staff, the media, volunteers and donations. Donations have been used to purchase reverse cycle air-conditioners for the kennels, beds for all the dogs, vaccines to be given as each dog is brought into the Shelter, the highest quality pet food, and many comforts to ease the stress while they are at the Shelter. This donation money is also used to keep pets alive longer so that the right home can be found for them.

The Shelter is used by ten Sydney Councils from Sydney Harbour to the Georges River. We are able to accommodate 60 dogs at any one time and 30 cats. All pets held at a "pound", by law, are to be kept for one week and if they are microchipped they are to be kept for 14 days. At our Shelter we keep these pets for many weeks over the allotted time. We assess each dog during its stay, testing it with other dogs to see if it is non-aggressive and how it behaves.

The Shelter desexes, microchips, vaccinates, worms, heartworm tests and lifetime registers each pet before it leaves. We encourage responsible ownership and will not release undesexed dogs to be used for breeding purposes, or as guard dogs. It is our policy not to rehome certain breeds that may be used for fighting, even though some are really good natured and well behaved as, if placed in the wrong hands, these dogs can be lethal. We will not take that risk to spoil our reputation as it would be to the detriment of our other dogs if we were forced to close down because of litigation.

In our 18 months at the Shelter, we have found that most dogs are rehomable and compatible if given a second chance in an understanding and loving environment.

THERE IS SOMEONE OUT THERE FOR EACH SHELTER PET, IT IS JUST A MATTER OF TIME AND MONEY TO KEEP THEM ALIVE LONG ENOUGH TO FIND THAT SOMEONE.

Sydney Dogs Home staff are available seven days a week to help you with any enquiries about rehoming a Shelter pet. Our viewing hours are from 9am to 1pm. We hope you can visit us soon.