The Animal Welfare League NSW Shelter is located at 1605 Elizabeth Drive, Kemps Creek (Western Sydney) and is open seven days a week from 10am until 3:30pm.
Adopting a pet from Animal Welfare League NSW
When visiting the shelter, be sure to bring the entire family (including any existing dogs in your care) to make sure everyone gets along.
Our shelter staff will assist by gathering key information about your preferences and lifestyle, as we aim to match each individual or family with the right animal. Choosing a new companion should never be rushed. Take your time to get to know each pet recommended by the shelter staff. If the first pet you meet is not suitable, that’s OK! We usually have a large selection of animals looking forward to meeting you.
All pets available for adoption through Animal Welfare League NSW come with a 14-day health guarantee. Our pets are desexed, vaccinated, microchipped, flea treated and wormed, and this is all included in the adoption fee.
Adoption fees for pets through our regional branches are set by the local branch and listed on each animal’s profile. To meet a pet at one of our branches, contact the branch directly.
Surrendering a pet to Animal Welfare League NSW
If you have an animal that you can no longer care for, you can contact us to discuss our options for rehoming your pet.
How it works:
You must contact us by phone or e-mail initially to enquire about surrendering your pet.
We will send you a surrender questionnaire to fill out and ask you to provide evidence of the below:
The microchip in your animal is in your name on the Companion Animals Registry (mandatory).
You can provide an up-to-date vaccination for the animal (mandatory).
You send us a photo and video (mandatory).
You provide a desexing certificate if your animal is desexed.
You provide medical history for your pet.
Having these documents prior to requesting surrender is in your best interest to ensure your application is reviewed by our team swiftly.
We will advise you of our current surrender waiting times which can regularly vary.
If you’re rehoming your pet due to its behaviour, please consult a veterinary behaviourist and/or a qualified trainer to assist you. You never know, sometimes a few adjustments can have you and your pet living in harmony once again!
Our main goal is to keep animals happy in their homes.
If you’re approved for surrender: Once you have spoken with our shelter team and have been provided with a confirmed appointment, you will need to ensure you bring all necessary paperwork and information with you:
All medical history and veterinary paperwork, including vaccination history and any medication requirements.
Information about your pet’s personality, behaviour and history, which will help us to provide them with the best care possible.
For dogs – the final approval for surrender will be passing a quick behavioural assessment by our team on arrival.
Dogs must be securely restrained on a collar or harness and leash, and cats must be in a safe and secure carry cage.
Payment for the surrender fee – our staff will advise you of the fee payable when you book your appointment
Animal Welfare League NSW receives no government funding for our rehoming work and relies on the support of the community so we can care for and find new homes for surrendered animals. We appreciate any donations made when surrendering your animal, to help us provide them with food, shelter, veterinary treatment and loving care while we work to find them a new home. Donations above $2 are tax deductible.
We do our very best to rehome all animals surrendered to us and our staff can provide more information about the surrender and rehoming process when you call to discuss an appointment.
If you live in regional NSW and need assistance with rehoming your pet, please contact our local volunteer branches.
If you find a stray dog or cat it will need to be taken to your local council pound as a lost animal.
Upon reaching Council pound facilities, all dogs and cats are scanned for a microchip on arrival and if the animal owners’ details are current, they will be quickly reunited with their lost pet. Animal Welfare League NSW is unable to accept stray pets.
