If you have found a lost or stray animal within the Northern Beaches Council area, please contact Customer Service on 1300 434 434.
Cats are generally permitted to roam, and Council does not have a general power under the Companion Animals Act 1998 to seize or collect a cat solely because it has entered or is roaming on private property.
Please note: Council can only accept animals found within the Northern Beaches Council area. If you have found an animal outside this area, please contact the relevant local council for advice and assistance.
Lost your pet?
If your cat or dog is missing, contact Council's Pound at Collaroy Veterinary Service on 9971 8487 and notify your local veterinary clinics.
Provide a detailed description of your pet, including their appearance, name and any identifying features.
We also recommend:
- Checking with your neighbours and searching your pet's favourite hiding spots and familiar locations.
- Putting up posters around your neighbourhood or distributing letterbox flyers with a photo of your pet and your contact details.
- Joining local lost and found pets Facebook groups to share information about your missing pet.
A note about missing cats: Cats that are sick, injured or frightened may hide and are unlikely to call out. Search carefully, including in quiet, sheltered spaces, and listen closely for any signs of your cat.
Found dogs
If you find an unfamiliar dog wandering off-leash, you can report a found dog to Council. A Council Ranger may be able to attend and scan the dog for its microchip details so the owner can be contacted.
If the dog is wearing a collar with an identification tag, you can also contact the owner directly. If it is safe to do so, contain the dog securely and provide access to water while arranging assistance.
Found cats
Under the Companion Animals Act 1998, cats are generally permitted to roam freely, except in designated prohibited areas, including food preparation and consumption areas and wildlife protection areas.
It is an offence to seize a cat unless it is injured, abandoned or lost. Council Rangers are authorised to take possession of cats in these circumstances. Council cannot collect cats simply because they have wandered onto private property.
If you find a cat you don't recognise, it may belong to someone in your neighbourhood. We recommend taking the following steps:
- Check with your neighbours to see if they recognise the cat.
- Share a photograph on local community noticeboards or social media groups to help identify the owner.
- Check with local veterinary clinics to see if anyone has reported a missing cat.
- Refer to RSPCA's information: I found a stray cat! What should I do? - RSPCA New South Wales
Important: Do not collect, trap or feed unfamiliar cats. Cats that appear to be roaming may have an owner nearby.
If you are unsure what to do or believe a cat is injured, abandoned or genuinely lost, please contact Council for advice before taking any action. Do not attempt to collect or remove the animal yourself.
Sick or injured pets
If you find a sick or injured cat or dog that you don’t recognise, the best thing to do is to take it to your closest vet. If a cat is injured, it is okay to take it to the vet.
Collecting your pet from the pound
To collect your pet from the pound, bring identification or a letter of authority to collect from the owner. All pets must be microchipped and registered before they will be reunited with you. You’ll have to pay pound fees and you may be issued with a fine.
If you find a dead animal
If you find a dead animal on public property, report the dead animal to Council for removal. Domestic animals will be scanned for microchip identification and the owners notified.
If you find a dead animal on your property, contact your local vet. Council does not remove dead animals from private property.
Nuisance cats
Cats are allowed to roam except within prohibited areas. Some cats may become a nuisance and you can report nuisance cats to Council.