State MP pushes for pound pet adoption amid rise in surrendered, abandoned animals

NSW animal shelters and pounds are overflowing as pet owners surrender their animals at an alarming rate - sparking calls for new laws to ‘outlaw’ a contentious animal breeding practice.

Local Government Minister Ron Hoenig is urging the people of NSW to adopt a pet. Picture: NCA Newswire/ Gaye Gerard

With thousands of “loving pets” waiting to find a new home, potential owners are urged to look towards a council pound or animal shelter, rather than shopping with new laws being considered next year to “outlaw” puppy farming.

While the Christmas period is prime time for families to welcome a new family member into their homes, councils and animal shelters have reported an increase in surrendered or abandoned animals across the state.

In the 12 months until June 30, there were 21,580 and 14,370 cats in the NSW pound system with 5680 dogs and 5030 cats released to organisations to be rehomed.

Local Government Minister Ron Hoenig said “the people of NSW” have shown they can be generous, given more than 3480 dogs and 3690 cats were adopted in the year until June 30.

“They can provide love and companionship and adopting a pet which might’ve had a rough start to life can be … incredibly rewarding,” he said.

Scooter is currently housed at the Campbelltown Animal Care Facility.

Brody is also housed at the same facility.

Not only does adopting a pet provide a safe home to the animals, it helps reduce the demand on the 100 approved rehoming organisations and 98 council pounds across NSW.

Animal Justice NSW MP Emma Hurst said the cost of living and rental crisis has resulted in an increase in animals being surrendered.

“Pounds are overflowing with animals – which sadly means many animals will end up on death row and will be killed, unless they are urgently adopted,” she said.

“Shelters are saying it is one of the most common reasons that animals are being abandoned [and] until our laws change to ensure all rentals are animal friendly, animals will continue to lose their lives.

Animal Justice NSW MP Emma Hurst said her party is looking to debate a new law which would outlaw puppy farming. Photo: NCA NewsWire/Gaye Gerard

“We need to make rental properties animal friendly … shelters are saying it is one of the most common reasons that animals are being abandoned.”

Ms Hurst is calling for “urgent laws” to stop dodgy backyard breeding which she says are “pumping out puppies while healthy, rehomeable animals are being killed in pounds”.

She told this publication her party is looking to bring a bill which would “outlaw puppy farming” next year.

And while pets can bring a lot of joy, Mr Hoenig warned pets can be a “big responsibility” and asked those considering adopting to “ensure you’re in the best position to give them the life and home they deserve”.

Microchipping, desexing and registering their pet on the NSW Pet Registry, gives owners the chance of reuniting with the beloved animal if it goes missing.

Registration through the NSW Pet Registry is free for desexed cats and dogs adopted from pounds, animal shelters and approved rehoming organisations.