WHAT TO DO WHEN YOU FIND A LOST PET
FOLLOW THESE TIPS IF YOU'VE FOUND A DOG
Can you stop and help the dog?
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If the dog is friendly & approachable, secure them safely on a lead, in your fenced yard or car (we do not advise to mix them with your pets).
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If they have an id collar or tag, please call and text the owner. If they have no id or the owner is not answering, follow the steps below.
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Post location & a photo of the dog on our Lost & Found Pets Illawarra page.
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Take the dog to your local Vet for a microchip scan, or in special cases, Admin may be able to come and scan for you. If the above options are not viable, call your local Council Ranger - Shellharbour 4221 6111, Wollongong 4227 7111 or Kiama 0409 917 092).
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Dogs (especially small ones) can be put in a laundry or garage away from your pets until you are able to take them to a Vet or Admin can scan.
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DO NOT feed any dogs you find... only give them water. Some dogs are on a specific diet due to medical reasons and eating other food may make them ill.
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Unsure of what you can do (ie. driving, have baby or dog in the car etc)? You can still help them.
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Call your local Council Ranger - Shellharbour 4221 6111, Wollongong 4227 7111 or Kiama 0409 917 092).
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Post location and a photo of the dog on our Lost & Found Pets Illawarra page. (someone may be able to come and help you) and your local social media groups.
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Door knock the houses nearby to see if they know the dog or can hold the dog safely.
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If you are able, sit with the dog (in or out of your car) until help arrives.
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Dogs (especially small ones) can be put in a laundry or garage away from your pets until help arrives.
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FOLLOW THESE TIPS IF YOU'VE FOUND A CAT
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By law, cats are allowed to roam as long as they do not create a nuisance for neighbours.
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Unless a cat looks injured, sick or malnourished, or has been hanging around for more than a few days without leaving, please leave them be. They are likely out for a walk and will go home when they are ready. After all, cats are known to have a 2km radius that they regularly travel. Additionally, if you feed them, they will keep coming back.
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Only 3-4% of cats are reclaimed at the pound by their owners, so please ensure the cat is indeed lost or abandoned before you think of removing it. Ask neighbours if they know the cat and do a letterbox drop asking if anyone owns it.
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If you are certain the cat needs help, post location and a photo of the cat on our Lost & Found Pets Illawarra page. Admin may be able to come and scan the cat. Also post to your local social media groups.
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If you find a newborn or very young kittens, do not touch them right away as the mother cat is unlikely to be far away. If they are in immediate danger (road, other animals), then move them carefully to a safe spot, still in the vicinity so that mum can still find them. Many young kittens will not survive without their mum. Keep a watchful eye on them from a distance and if mum has not returned after a few hours, put them carefully into a box with bedding so that they stay warm and contact Lost & Found Admin as soon as possible.
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Always reach out to Admin and ask if they can scan a cat BEFORE taking it to the Vet.
IMPORTANT
LINKS & NUMBERS
LOST & FOUND GENERAL ENQUIRY
LOST & FOUND PETS ILLAWARRA
Report a pet lost or found
LOST & FOUND PETS ILLAWARRA RESCUE
Rescue A Pet
WOLLONGONG COUNCIL RANGER
☎ 4227 7111
SHELLHARBOUR COUNCIL RANGER
☎ 4221 6111
KIAMA COUNCIL RANGER
☎ 0409 917 092
WIRES
☎ 1300 094 737
WILDLIFE RESCUE SOUTH COAST
☎ 0418 427 214
AUSTRALIAN SEABIRD RESCUE
☎ 0431 282 238
ILLAWARRA SNAKE CATCHER
☎ 0418 162 441
REPTILE RESCUE & RELOCATION
☎ 0400 734 225
ORRCA (WHALES, SEALS ETC)
☎ 9415 3333
ANIMAL POISON CENTRE
☎ 1300 869 738