Lost and stray cats and dogs are set to be better managed following today’s opening of Orange City Council’s new animal pound.
The purpose-built $1.5 million facility was opened today by Orange Mayor, Reg Kidd and the chair of the Orange City Council Companion Animal community committee, Councillor Stephen Nugent.
The new pound includes exercise yards, insulated kennels, a vet room, a hydro-bath and dedicated cages for both dogs and cats. There are 32 dog cages and 18 cages for cats, as well as four under-cover kennels where the community can drop off stray dogs after-hours.
Mayor Kidd said the pound would be a local boost for the care of stray animals.
“The new pound has been handling stray dogs and cats for a number of months now while the final touches were added to the project,” he said.
“The outdoor drop-off cages have now been installed and landscaping has been completed.
“This soft-opening period has been a good opportunity to fine-tune some of the systems with operating a brand new facility.”
Cr Nugent said the new pound aimed to offer improved services to the community.
“When one of our rangers picks up a stray dog or cat, they scan the animal’s micro-chip and try to contact the owner. If it can’t be returned straightaway, because its owner details aren’t up to date, or it’s not micro-chipped it will be taken to the pound,” he said.
“The new pound will offer a high level of care while staff try to find its owners.”
“Dogs and cats which aren’t claimed by their owners will be assessed and then passed on to re-homing agency. At this stage, the pound isn’t set up to deal face-to-face with people who are looking to buy a cat or a dog. But we do want to move to re-homing directly from the pound in the near future.”
The Orange City Council pound is in the Narambla Industrial estate at 36 Astill Drive. To ask about an animal or make an appointment to re-claim a pet, call 6393 8990.
