If you’ve found a stray pet, we understand you want to help. The best thing you can do is try to reunite them with their owner as quickly as possible. In most cases, lost pets are close to home, and a few simple steps can help get them back where they belong.
What to do if you find a lost pet
Before taking any action, check for the following:
Collar & Tag – If the pet has an ID tag, contact the owner directly.
Check Nearby – Lost pets often don’t stray far. Knock on doors, check local community groups, and post in lost pet Facebook pages for your area.
Scan for a Microchip – If the pet doesn’t have an ID tag, take them to a local vet or council pound to check for a microchip. If they’re chipped, the registered owner can be contacted.
Stray pets must be taken to a council facility
Local councils are responsible for impounding stray animals and making every effort to reunite them with their owners. If you’ve found a lost pet with no identification, you must take them to your local council pound or animal holding facility. Councils are legally required to scan for a microchip and attempt to contact the owner.
AWL NSW can only accept sick or injured strays
AWL NSW is not an impound facility and cannot take in healthy stray or roaming pets. However, if you find an injured or sick animal, please contact us, and we will advise if we can assist.
Have you found a cat or kittens?
If you’ve found a cat or kittens and need help, please complete the form below. We will send you useful tips and advice to help assess the situation. If we are in a position to take them into our Kemps Creek shelter, we will be in touch.
Due to the high number of enquiries, we may not be able to respond to every request. If you haven’t heard from us, it means we do not have capacity at this time, and we encourage you to explore alternative options.