Minns to rescue Sydney dogs and cats shelter with $9m election promise

A Sydney dogs and cats shelter facing closure has been granted a lifeline with Labor leader Chris Minns pledging millions if Labor is elected in March

A Sydney animal rescue shelter facing the prospect of closure after a funding knock-back despite overflowing with abandoned cats and dogs will be granted a $9 million lifeline should Labor win government.

The election pledge comes after the Sydney Dogs and Cats Home issued a desperate plea to the NSW government for funding for a new facility after it was evicted to make way for a new development.

The shelter, which rehomes surrendered animals and reunites lost pets to their owners, warned many animals from the eight council areas it serviced would face euthanasia if it was forced to close.

Despite shelter grappling with record surrenders post-Covid, its plea to the government resulted in a hand-out of $500,000.

The government argues it has already provided the organisation with the Crown land site at Kurnell along with a 50-year peppercorn rent arrangement for the development of a new facility — the value of which amounted to about $8 million over a 46-year lease period.

A three-year-old chihuahua at the Sydney Dog and Cat Home. Picture: Toby Zerna

It is understood the cost to establish the new facility is about $15 million.

Labor leader Chris Minns said the funding pledge will form part of a broader animal management and welfare plan to deal with the growing number of lost, abandoned, and neglected animals across the state.

A rescue dog pictured with Sabrina Gabrielle at the Sydney Dog and Cat Home Picture: Toby Zerna

The plan will be developed after a consultation process with the shelter, RSPCA, Animal Welfare League of NSW, councils and others groups.

“The Sydney Dogs and Cats Home is a wonderful organisation staffed and run by volunteers who have rehomed and cared for 200,000 lost, abandoned and neglected animals over 75 years,” Mr Minns said.

“Unfortunately they are at risk of closing down permanently, which will result in thousands of animals being euthanised.

“They have the land and development approval, and we want to provide the financial support. Let’s not wait.”

A volunteer worker holds a rescue dog at the Sydney Dogs and Cats Home in 2018 Picture: AAP

The charity has been renting temporary facilities after it was evicted from its Carlton site in Mr Minns’ electorate of Kogarah in January after the land was sold to developers.

COVID-19 triggered a boom in pet ownership, with the end of the lockdowns culminating in an increase in surrendered pets.

With 60 per cent of NSW households having a pet — and Sydney’s population is predicted to increase by one million people by 2041 — Labor believes there is a need for a NSW-wide plan to manage the expected increase in companion animals.