Background Information

Wingecarribee Animal Shelter (WAS) is an Animal Shelter established under the provisions of the Companion Animals Act 1998 and is an open admission shelter provided for surrendered and impounded cats and dogs from the Wingecarribee Shire Local Government Area.

The purpose of the draft Policy is to ensure that the management and, when necessary, the euthanasia of impounded animals comply with the Companion Animals Act 1998, the Companion Animals Regulation 2018, and any relevant guidelines issued by the Departmental Chief Executive.

The policy reinforces Council’s commitment to rehoming, compliance with legislative requirements, and a balanced approach to euthanasia—ensuring it is considered only as a last resort and in accordance with veterinary advice and statutory obligations.

Aims of the Policy

This policy aims to:

  • Maximise rehoming for all healthy, well-behaved impounded pets.
  • Prioritise alternatives to euthanasia, adhering to all legal guidelines.
  • Acknowledge that veterinary-advised euthanasia may be necessary for feral or very young animals within legal holding periods.
  • Ensure full compliance with Sections 64, 64A, and 64B of the Companion Animals Act 1998.

Exhibition Period

The Draft Wingecarribee Animal Shelter Alternatives to Euthanasia Policy was on public exhibition from Friday 28 March until Tuesday 29 April 2025.

Viewing the Policy

The Draft Policy and associated documentation may be viewed in the Document Library on this page.

Providing Feedback

Opportunities to provide feedback on this Policy were invited from the community during the Public Exhibition Period. Feedback was received through the following ways:

  1. Online Submission Form
  2. Emailed to mail@wsc.nsw.gov.au
  3. Hand delivered to Council's Civic Centre at 68 Elizabeth Street, Moss Vale NSW 2577
  4. Posted to Wingecarribee Shire Council, PO Box 141, Moss Vale NSW 2577

Only written submissions were considered and these were be received by Council before Tuesday 29 April 2025. Please note that any submissions received may be included in the final report to Council.

Your feedback is a way for you to share your thoughts and ideas on a particular issue or project. The goal is to make sure your voice and the community’s voices are heard and considered. It helps provide valuable insights, identify potential issues and suggest improvements. This way, decisions can be more inclusive, transparent and effective, reflecting what you and the community really needs and wants.

Responses to engagement projects are compiled and considered. When projects are reported to Council to make a decision a summary of community feedback will be included. Updates on projects will be included in these pages and elsewhere on Council's website.

Sometimes it takes some months to provide feedback to the community and to make a decision as further investigation is often needed. We are listening and we do take your suggestions on board!

Next Steps

Submissions received are currently being reviewed and a final report is being developed for adoption by Council. For updates please follow and subscribe to this page.