The Bogan Shire Council dog pound is at full capacity this week, with the inmates comprising mostly hunting-type dogs and kelpies.

These dogs were either found by Council rangers roaming the streets or had been surrendered by their owners who were unable to care for them.

It comes at a time when rescue shelters and pounds across NSW are at capacity, partly due to enthusiastic Covid lockdown puppy buyers finding they can no longer care for animals when they return to work.   

The rising cost of living and difficulties finding pet-friendly rental accommodation have also been factors in the increased numbers of dogs being surrendered. 

Director of Development and Environmental Services, Cathy Black, said Council had recently launched an education campaign to inform pet owners of their responsibilities including the need to microchip and register dogs, and ensure they are properly restrained. 

She said those which were microchipped and registered could be connected with their owners and were less likely to end up impounded. 

“We have stepped up efforts to remind people they need to register all dogs, and update details when the animals change hands or address. Council rangers have been focussing on dogs which are roaming the street. These dogs can be dangerous to members of the public, or at risk of being injured themselves.”  

Dogs can remain in the pound for up to two weeks before being collected by an agency for rehoming. 

Bogan Shire has an arrangement with Cobar-based charity Rural Outback Animal Rescue (ROAR) which collects the unclaimed dogs and looks after them until a new home can be found. 

Lorraine “Wizzy” Knezevic from ROAR said the number of dogs being surrendered by their owners, or impounded by Councils had increased considerably in recent times and it was becoming challenging to find homes. 

Ms Knezevic said most of the ROAR dogs had found homes as far as Queensland, Victoria and the NSW coastal areas.  

“We are finding nearly all rescue facilities such as ours are full at the moment and adoptions are very slow,” she said. 

“It can sometimes take a while to find a dog a new home. We had one dog – a pig dog – with us for 14 months before he got rescued.” 

All dogs collected by ROAR are wormed and vaccinated for Canine Parvovirus and given veterinary assistance if needed. 

Ms Knezevic said ROAR was a charity reliant on fundraising and donations as well as small grants to provide the service.