Whether you are dealing with a lost companion or seeking advice with an injured stray, RSPCA NSW can help you plan for what comes next. We’ve prepared several step-by-step guides and a list of preventative measures to help you with assisting injured strays and keeping track of your beloved pet.
Every year, thousands of animals are reunited with their families, thanks to the assistance and dedication of our communities and staff. If you lose your pet or find an injured stray animal in need of help, please feel free to reach out to our team for guidance and support.
When it comes to reducing the number of strays and unclaimed pets in our communities, prevention and preparation are key to keeping our animals safe. Taking proactive steps to safeguard your animal companion not only lowers the risk of losing your pet but also reduces the strain on shelters and local council pounds.
From putting up posters to getting in touch with your nearest council pound, there are several steps you can take to improve your chances of finding your pet. To find out if your animal companion has entered our care, locate your nearest RSPCA NSW location and notify our team as soon as you can.
Under the Companion Animals Act 1998 (NSW), local councils are responsible for providing shelter and care for stray or unclaimed animals. This means that all stray animals should be reporting to your local council, as only they have the expertise, facilities, and legal authority to manage these situations.
However, this doesn’t mean that you shouldn’t look out for any strays you find. In fact, we strongly urge NSW communities to assist stray animals where they can, ensuring their protection and wellbeing as they await their local council’s response. If you find an injured stray animal in need of urgent treatment, you can bring them to an RSPCA NSW Veterinary Hospital for immediate veterinary care.
If you come across a lost or straying animal, RSPCA NSW has developed a step-by-step action plan outlining what you should do to help. If you need any guidance with providing care for any lost or unclaimed pets, feel free to explore our resources outlining the basics of caring for animals.
If you have lost your pet, locate and contact your closest RSPCA NSW Shelters and Adoption Centres. We also suggest contacting other nearby pounds, animal shelters, and veterinary hospitals, as some pets have been known to travel great distances when unable to find their homes.
If your animal is not in our care, we suggest contacting all the local pounds, shelters and veterinarians in your area. You can also check the many online Facebook groups for missing and found pets.
It’s very important to update your pet’s microchip record to reflect that he is missing. You could also consider posting notices around your neighbourhood and in your local newspaper.
Even if you do not find your animal immediately, it’s important to search regularly in case your pet is found at a later date.
We would suggest phoning your local RSPCA shelter before visiting us. All animals currently in RSPCA NSW’s care who have come in as lost or strays are entered into our system so if you animal is in our care, our teams will have records of this. You are welcome to come to our shelters and speak to our staff during opening hours.
While we promise to urgently search our records for anyone looking for their missing pet, we do not have the resources to conduct regular searches for your beloved animal companion. However, we suggest regularly checking in with our dedicated shelter staff as you continue the search for your precious forever friend.
You can contact our RSPCA NSW shelters here. We would suggest checking with your local shelter and any that are in your region as animals can sometimes travel great distances.
If you find a livestock animal, please contact your local council.
If you find a pocket pet, try to locate the owner in your area. Check with your neighbours and put up found posters.
If you find a native animal, contact a local wildlife organisation such as WIRES, ARC or Sydney Wildlife Rescue. If you can safely collect and contain the animal, you should take him to a veterinary clinic immediately.
Although our shelters lack the authorisation to take in lost animals and strays, we support lost and unclaimed pets in a variety of other ways. When our shelters have space, we often work with councils to help house animals that have been unable to be reunited with their owners or rehomed by the council. This is our way of directly ensuring that councils have even greater resources to help animals in need.
You can help us create more space for lost and stray animals by adopting an animal from one of our shelters and adoption centres. If you don’t think you’re ready for permanent adoption, consider becoming a foster carer to an animal in need of a loving temporary home.
RSPCA NSW rehomes a range of different animals, from dogs, cats, and birds to horses, rabbits, and sheep! We believe that all creatures, great and small, can bring joy to our families and homes. Begin your adoption journey today and make an adorable lifelong friend!
By providing temporary homes for our animals, we can ensure they get the care they need until they are ready to be adopted. Join our network of foster carers for an incredibly rewarding experience; with your help, we can change the lives of some of the state’s most vulnerable animals.
We rely on our generous supporters to continue assisting the thousands of animals turning to RSPCA NSW for help. No matter how small your contribution, every gift makes a lifesaving difference for animals in need.
By raising funds and lending a hand to communities and their pets, our volunteers play a pivotal role in our work throughout NSW. If you have a genuine concern for animals and enjoy meeting like-minded people, consider becoming an RSPCA NSW volunteer today!
We promise to uphold the highest ethical standards. Your personal information has never been, and never will be sold or traded to other charities. This is our promise to you.
We acknowledge the Traditional Owners of the lands on which we live and work. We recognise and respect the enduring relationship they have with their lands and waterways, and particularly acknowledge the vital role animals have played in Indigenous life, stories and culture for tens of thousands of years.
The RSPCA is an independent, community-based charity providing animal care and protection services across the country.
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The RSPCA is an independent, community-based charity providing animal care and protection services across the country.
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