Around $200,000 has been secured from the NSW government to tackle stray animals in the Walgett and Brewarrina shires.

The project will be run via a partnership with the Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (RSPCA).

RSPCA vets and zoologists will weigh the impact of approaches like sterilisation, rehoming, euthanasia and creating pathways to surrender unwanted animals.

Heat and motion cameras will be installed to monitor roaming animal numbers before and after interventions.

“We have a stray dog problem in our Shire and the easy fix of doing a blitz only works for a short period of time before the dogs are back on the street," Brewarrina Shire Council General Manager David Kirby said.

"This new program will assist Council in understanding some of the issues contributing to the high number of stray animals in our community in far greater detail and find strategies to reduce the number on a more permanent basis."

The project is expected to roll out in Brewarrina this year, although it is unclear when it will begin in Walgett.

Dr Gemma Ma works in animal welfare at the RSPCA. IMAGE: supplied.

A Brewarrina Shire spokesperson said the council will help residents access a local vet or RSPCA services when they are in town.

The project's Chief Investigator, the RSPCA's Dr Gemma Ma, was in Brewarrina in October 2024 for their 'Healthy Pet Day,' where 56 animals were desexed.

She said they will work with researchers from the University of Sydney and University of New England, as well as the Brewarrina Local Aboriginal Lands Council, the Brewarrina Community Working Party and local vets.

"We’ve had some very positive co-design meetings with local stakeholders and are now working on the details of the project plan," Dr Ma said.

Council pound and nuisance complaint data will also feed into the program.

A Council spokesperson said they will finalise details on specific interventions from community consultations.