Wingecarribee 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 (RRC) complex.
Entry to the shelter is by appointment only and only for genuine enquiries about adopting cats or dogs.
All visitors including volunteers must report to the shelter office on arrival.
Animal surrenders are by appointment only.
Please contact the Shelter Team on 02 4868 1520 if you'd like to discuss the animal surrender process or arrange an appointment.
- Monday to Friday: 10 am to 4 pm
- Weekends: 10 am to 12 pm (noon)
- Public holidays: closed
Volunteer at the Animal Shelter
The animal shelter team receives support from a large number of committed volunteers, including dog walkers and cat cuddlers.
New volunteers are always welcome.
Some people volunteer their time at the shelter weekly to walk the dogs or help socialise the cats and kittens, while others offer their time simply when they can.
Volunteer dog walking is available on most public holidays but must be pre-arranged with shelter staff. Unfortunately cat cuddling is not available on public holidays.
To volunteer, you must be at least 16 years old. If under the age of 18, you must be accompanied by an adult.
You will be asked to show your ID on the first day of your induction as a volunteer. Before you can volunteer, you will need to be inducted and complete an online application form. Please call the Animal Shelter on 02 4868 1520 to book an appointment if you'd like to become a volunteer.
Apply Online to Volunteer
Volunteer dog walkers
Once you've been inducted as a volunteer dog walker, you can attend the shelter 7 days a week, except on days the shelter is closed to the public.
Dog walks take place from Monday to Sunday from 8:30 am and finish at 9:30-10 am depending on the number of dogs that need to be walked and the number of volunteers available on the day.
The shelter staff provides 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 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.
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 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.
- Comply with Section 64 and Section 64A of the Companion Animals Act 1998.
Impound periods, impound fees, and animal registration
Impound periods
All impounded animals are held for the statutory periods:
- 14 days for micro-chipped dogs and cats.
- 7 days for unregistered and unidentified dogs and cats.
Donations
From time to time we may request donations for specific items (in good or excellent condition) that we require. Please keep an eye on our Facebook page - Wingecarribee Animal Shelter - for when and what donations are needed. If you have items outside these times, please call ahead to confirm with a member of the Shelter Team 02 4868 1520, who can confirm if any donations can be currently accepted.
We appreciate our community’s continued support and generosity and thank you.
Adopt a pet from the Animal Shelter
The Wingecarribee Animal Shelter has cats and dogs available for adoption. You can adopt other animals on the Pet Rescue website.
Animals available for adoption