Lost and Impounded Animals

If your animal has been found by the Shire Ranger, it will be taken to the Council’s Animal Pound, which is located within the grounds of the Materials Recycling Facility on the Glen Logan Road. Details of current animals Lost & impounded is available on the Adopt a Pound Pet page.

If your animal is microchipped and registered, the following process will apply:

1. The animal’s microchip will be scanned.
2. Council will contact you (in writing and by telephone) to advise that we have your animal.
3. You will have to pay Council impounding fees before the animal is released.
4. Council will impound the animal for a period of 7 days, before it will be rehomed.

If your animal is not microchipped and registered, the following process will apply:

1. Council will impound the animal for a period of 7 days, before it will be rehomed.
2. You can claim the animal within this period, but you must verify that you are the owner.
3. The animal must be mcirochipped and registered before release.
4. You will have to pay Council impounding fees before the animal is released. 

If Council has not already contacted you and you wish to collect an impounded animal, you will need to arrange this by speaking to Cowra Ranger Services on (02) 6340 2052.

If your animal is microchipped and registered, you will still be required to pay an impounding fee and sustenance provided per day before your animal can be released. The impounding fee for a cat or dog is currently set at $15.50 per day plus sustenance starts at $7.20 per day that the animal has been impounded (refer to the Revenue Policy 2021/2022 for all fees and charges)

If your animal is not microchipped and registered, you will need to arrange for this to occur before your animal can be released. Microchipping can cost as little as $30.00.

* From 1 July 2021, the NSW Government introduced free lifetime registration for rescue pets adopted from council pounds, animal shelters and rehoming organisations.

2021-22 Registration & permit fees are:

Registration Category	Fee
Dog – Desexed (by relevant age)	$66
Dog – Desexed (eligible pensioner)	$27
Dog – Not Desexed or Desexed after relevant age	$224
Dog – Not Desexed (recognised breeder)	$66
Dog – Working / Service of the State / Assistance Animal / sold by pound/shelter	$0
Cat – Desexed or not Desexed	$56
Cat – Eligible Pensioner	$27
Cat – Sold by pound/shelter	$0
Registration – Late Fee	$18
Annual Permit Category	Fee
Cat not desexed by 4 months of age	$81
Dangerous Dog	$197
Restricted Dog	$197
Permit – late fee	$18

If you have found a stray animal, you should contact Cowra Ranger Services on (02) 6340 2052.

Adopt a Pound Pet Program

Cowra Council’s Adopt a Pound Pet Program aims to reduce the euthanasia of animals that are brought to the pound.

If you are interested in viewing an impounded animal or adopting an animal, you should contact Cowra Ranger Services on (02) 6340 2052. Details of current animals available for rehoming is located on the Adopt a Pound Pet page. 

Fees

Pound animals that are adopted are microchipped by Council to reduce the cost of registration by the new owner.

To adopt a pound animal you need to pay the following registration fees only.

• From 1 July 2021, the NSW Government introduced free lifetime registration for rescue pets adopted from council pounds, animal shelters and rehoming organisations.

  2021-22 Registration & permit fees are:

  Registration Category	Fee
  Dog – Desexed (by relevant age)	$66
  Dog – Desexed (eligible pensioner)	$27
  Dog – Not Desexed or Desexed after relevant age	$224
  Dog – Not Desexed (recognised breeder)	$66
  Dog – Working / Service of the State / Assistance Animal / sold by pound/shelter	$0
  Cat – Desexed or not Desexed	$56
  Cat – Eligible Pensioner	$27
  Cat – Sold by pound/shelter	$0
  Registration – Late Fee	$18
  Annual Permit Category	Fee
  Cat not desexed by 4 months of age	$81
  Dangerous Dog	$197
  Restricted Dog	$197
  Permit – late fee	$18

Tips

Before you decide on adopting an animal from the pound, you should ask yourself the following questions:

• Am I prepared to care for the animal for its whole life? Dogs can live up to 16 years of age, and cats can live up to 20 years of age.
• Can I afford a pet? In addition to the upfront registration costs, there are ongoing costs associated with feeding the animal, annual health checks, grooming, worming, toys and treats.
• Do I have time for a pet? Most animals require a huge time investment associated with training, entertaining, exercising and grooming.
• Do I live in suitable accommodation for a pet? Most animals will require a suitably sized and enclosed yard. Some rental properties do not allow pets.
• Will a pet suit my lifestyle? Working long hours, spending lots of time away from home, or having no one to look after your pet when your away are all relevant considerations.

If you answered yes to the above questions, then you are a fantastic candidate for Council's Adopt a Pound Pet program and we would love to hear from you.