The Sutherland Shire Council Animal Shelter, which operates in partnership with the City of Sydney, has found new homes for 550 cats and dogs over the past year.
Sutherland Shire Mayor Kent Johns said social media has proven to be a very effective way to build awareness about rescue pets.
“We use Facebook, the council website and advertise on petrescue.com.au, a general website used by all pounds, animal shelters and rescue groups where you can find a pet all around the country,” Mayor Johns said.
“Photos of the animals are key to the success of our adoption program, as are our dedicated volunteers.”
The Sutherland Shire Animal Shelter currently has 58 volunteers over a seven-day roster. Up to eight volunteers attend to dogs and cats needs each day.
Graphic designer Chris Croker, 21, from Surry Hills found a seven-year-old female Stafford-cross on the street late at night and took it to the centre, even though he wanted to provide a home. He had an anxious two-week wait to see if the owner came forward before finally taking her home and naming her Luna.
“I’m a big believer that things happen for a reason, when I bumped into her at the crossroad we connected straightaway and I fell in love,” Mr Croker said.
“I knew Luna was microchipped so I took her to the Sutherland Animal Shelter.
“I have my own design business and my partners don’t mind if I bring her to work. She sits on my lap while I work and there’s a bed under the desk.
“I thoroughly recommend adopting a pet from an animal shelter if you have the capacity to look after it. You’re talking about a life here – it’s not fair that you wouldn’t.”
Communications manager Geneveive Bonello and her daughter Isobel, 18, adopted Tank, a five-kilogram stray cat because they genuinely care about animals.
“Many people adopt kittens, but I wanted an old stray so I could offer it something positive in its last years. I have so much love for animals and Tank is one of a kind, we just love him,” Ms Bonello said.
“Tank’s had a very positive impact on Isobel who’s taken on the responsibility of looking after him. She sleeps with him at night and Tank kind of holds her hand when he falls asleep.”
City of Sydney strays go to the Sutherland Animal Shelter, which has a no-kill policy.
Lord Mayor, Clover Moore, urged people thinking about buying a pet to first contact the animal shelter.
“Tragically, 60,000 unwanted pets are killed each year in NSW because they’re abandoned or surrendered to shelters,” the Lord Mayor said.
“If you’re planning to buy a pet cat or dog, contact the centre as you could save the life of an animal – plus the pets are cheaper, and already registered, microchipped and de-sexed, too.”
