Emma Hurst MP, Animal Services Australasia call for NSW dog pound reform as conditions revealed
Alarmingly grim conditions at animal pounds across regional NSW have been revealed as animal campaigners called for “urgent reform” and more funding. See the pictures.
The South Coast News
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The subpar conditions of animal pounds across regional NSW have been revealed, with metal cages, little protection from the cold and some built on dump sites as campaigners called for “urgent reform”.
Pictures and emails seen by NewsLocal detailed the “horrible” conditions.
In Bega, pictures revealed exposed metal cages open to the elements.
“The pound is a horrible facility for dogs in particular,” a source with knowledge of the situation said.
“It is a typical ‘old style’ pound, in the back corner of a local dump centre.”
A Bega Shire Council spokeswoman said the site was adjacent to Kalaru waste transfer station and a separate facility, but shared a common entrance.
“The kennels have been built opening to the southwest, so in winter they are bitterly cold but in summer incredibly hot,” the source said.
“There are no solid walls between each pen so fearful dogs have nowhere to hide.”
The pounds at Cobar are also located around a tip, while conditions were criticised by sources in Parkes and Bourke.
A 2022 state government review, however, did reveal declining rates of euthanasia across pounds.
Animal Justice NSW MP Emma Hurst called for “urgent reform”.
“Pounds are at capacity, many are not functional and euthanasia rates remain high,” she said.
“There are pounds that are built into tip sites – animals are not rubbish.”
Ms Hurst called on state government funding to address the “broken system”.
“The NSW Government cannot continue to pass the buck,” she said.
“Many councils simply don’t have the funding available, and we can’t ignore this major animal welfare issue – it’s simply not good enough.”
Animal Services Australasia CEO Mark Slater said “there’s a lot of issues across the state, you’ve got pounds built into waste facilities, many with little investment”.
These issues also exacerbated disease spread.
“Diseases like canine parvovirus, ringworm – these can create health and quarantine issues, which in turn create higher costs,” he said.
Mr Slater revealed his organisation contributed to the impound review carried out by the NSW Local Government Office in 2022, which suggested how to improve the state’s facilities.
“Places are already full, so there needs also to be a look at more funding,” he said.
“There’s so many issues that need to be dealt with – that review needs to be enacted and taken seriously.”
The draft Rehoming Practices Review identified costs, capacity constraints, and low compliance with registration requirements as issues, and recommended the state government establish an “ongoing funding arrangement”.
“A statewide registry network would also allow local governments to plug in their information on their animals, which would help the public across to find these animals quicker and easier,” Mr Slater said.
However, Mr Slater applauded the work of Blacktown Council which has opened a new 180-dog shelter: “That’s a cracking new facility,” he said.
The Blacktown Animal Rehoming Centre (BARC) in Glendenning is the largest facility of its type in the Southern Hemisphere.
“This 36-million-dollar facility will pave a new way forward for animal welfare across western Sydney,” Blacktown mayor Tony Bleasdale said.
“BARC is setting new standards in how we deal with unwanted pets, strays, animal adoptions as well as education and training for pet owners and the community.”
However, the mayor said they were looking for good homes for their shelter residents.
“Sadly, even the best facility has a limited capacity and facilities all over Sydney have been inundated with animals people no longer want,” he said.
“If you are thinking of taking on the privilege of adding a pet to your family, please visit our BARC facility and give one of our many animals a chance at a forever home.”
A Bega council spokeswoman said there was no money available for pound improvement.
“Council has no budget available for improvements to the current facility – additional funding would allow for an upgrade to a modern standard and could also potentially allow for the expansion of the facility for greater animal housing capacity,” she said.
“We are seeing an increase in the number of animals being housed at our facility as recent amendments to the Companion Animals Act require additional steps to be carried out as part of the rehoming process.
“Council’s facility is ageing and will require a significant financial investment to upgrade it to an appropriate size and standard to accommodate these legislative changes.”
A NSW Local Government Office spokeswoman said the government was “working constantly” to improve animal welfare standards.
“Under the Companion Animals Act, councils are required to provide pound services to their community – councils are required to comply with the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act when providing these services,” she said.
“The NSW Government continues to provide funding to councils to support their companion animal management programs and activities.”
Cobar, Cowra, Hawkesbury, Glen Innes, Bourke and Parkes councils were approached for comment.
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