Animal Shelter
The Wingecarribee Animal Shelter is located at 177 Berrima Road Moss Vale on the corner of Bowman Road and inside Council's Resource Recovery Centre complex.
The shelter is open to the public by appointment only and only for genuine enquiries about adopting cats or dogs until further notice.
All visitors including volunteers must report to the shelter office on arrival.
Animal surrenders are by appointment only.
Please contact the shelter on 02 4868 1520 to discuss the animal surrender process or to arrange an appointment.
- Monday to Friday: 10 am to 4 pm
- Saturday and Sunday: 10 am to 12 pm (noon)
- Public holidays: closed
Adopt a pet from the Animal Shelter
The shelter has cats and dogs available for adoption. If you are looking to adopt other animals please visit the PetRescue website.
Volunteer at the Animal Shelter
The Animal Shelter receives valuable assistance from a large number of committed volunteers, including dog walkers and cat cuddlers.
Some volunteers attend weekly to walk the dogs or socialise with the cats and kittens, while other volunteers donate their time when and where they can.
All volunteers must be at least 16 years old. If under the age of 18, volunteers must be accompanied by an adult.
An induction needs to be organised prior to volunteering and an emergency contact form completed. Please contact the Animal Shelter to book an appointment if you'd like to become a volunteer.
Book an appointment to become a volunteer: 02 4868 1520.
Volunteer dog walkers
Our volunteer dog walkers who have completed their induction can attend the shelter 7 days a week, except on public holidays or days the shelter is closed to the public.
Dog walks take place from Monday to Sunday from 8:30 am.
Dog walks conclude at 9:30 am or 10 am depending on the number of dogs that need to be walked and the number of volunteers available on the day.
Shelter staff provide all volunteer dog walkers with vests, dog treats, harnesses, dog toys and leads.
Volunteer cat cuddlers
Cat cuddling takes place in the cattery from 10:30 am to 3 pm Monday to Friday and 10 am to 12 pm noon on Saturday and Sunday, except on public holidays or days the shelter is closed to the public.
Cat cuddling helps to socialise kittens and cats, which is important to help the cats learn to be comfortable with new people and to become more adoptable as a result.
Cat treats and toys are available for cat cuddling volunteers to use while in the cattery.
Impound periods, impound fees and registration fees
The Animal Shelter has a minimal euthanasia policy. Every effort is made to re-home all suitable unclaimed dogs and cats.
All impounded animals are held for the statutory periods:
- 14 days for registered and micro-chipped dogs and cats.
- 7 days for unregistered and unidentified dogs and cats.
Impounding fees:
- Dogs and cats - 1st release: $42
- Dogs and cats - 2nd or subsequent occasion: $70 (fee applies if the animal has been impounded at the shelter on more than one occasion)
- Maintenance charge for dogs (per day, per dog): $35
- Maintenance charge for cats (per day, per cat): $20
- Microchipping an impounded animal: $41
Registration fees:
- Dogs de-sexed by 6 months of age: $69
- Dog not de-sexed or de-sexed after 6 months of age: $234
- Cats de-sexed by 4 months of age: $59
- Cats not de-sexed: $59 + $85 annual fee until cat is de-sexed
Pet adoption fees 2023
Dog adoption fees:
- Male puppy under 6 months of age: $387
- Male dog over 6 months of age: $332
- Male dog over 8 years of age: $210
- Female puppy under 6 months of age: $442
- Female dog over 6 months of age: $406
- Female dog over 8 years of age: $263
Cat adoption fees:
- Male kitten under 6 months of age: $222
- Male cat over 6 months of age: $200
- Male cat over 8 years of age: $127
- Female kitten under 6 months of age: $253
- Female cat over 6 months of age: $222
- Female cat over 8 years of age: $148
Minimal euthanasia policy
Wingecarribee Animal Shelter operates on a philosophy of minimal euthanasia.
This means giving every companion animal that arrives at the shelter good care and the opportunity when viable to be re-homed without the threat of being subject to arbitrary euthanasia after the minimum holding period.
Our policy is to:
- Minimise the euthanasia of companion animals impounded at the Wingecarribee Animal Shelter by considering all possible alternatives to euthanasia and where practicable, to adopt these alternatives on every occasion.
- Recognise that euthanasia of feral and infant companion animals within the minimum holding period may be necessary when advised by a veterinarian.