8 things you might not know about Sydney Dogs & Cats Home

For 80 years, we’ve been there for Sydney’s lost, abandoned and neglected pets. But while you might know us for the dogs and cats who come through our doors, there are a few things about our history that may surprise you. 

1. We’ve been caring for Sydney’s animals since 1946 

Our story began in 1946 as the local pound within St George Animal Hospital. 

What began as a pound would eventually grow into the animal welfare charity we know today. Over the past eight decades, we’ve cared for generations of Sydney’s lost, abandoned and neglected pets.

2. We haven’t always been called Sydney Dogs & Cats Home 

Over the years, we’ve been known by a few different names. 

 As we evolved, names including St George Animal Shelter and Sydney Dogs Home became part of our history, before we eventually became Sydney Dogs & Cats Home.

3. 1999 was a big year in our history

In 1999, we began an important new chapter. 

After Dr Peter Britton purchased the practice, the pound was transformed into an animal welfare charity, with a growing focus on rehoming Sydney’s lost and abandoned pets. 

It was a significant step towards becoming the Sydney Dogs & Cats Home you know today. 

4. We’re not actually a traditional rescue shelter 

We’re Sydney’s only charity pound and community facility, which means our role is a little different to that of a traditional rescue organisation. 

Through our partnerships with councils across Sydney, lost and abandoned animals come into our care before being reunited with their owners or, when that isn’t possible, prepared for adoption. 

It’s why many of the animals you see us sharing have come to us through the council pound system.

5. Carlton was our home for generations

For around 75 years, Carlton was home. 

It became a place generations of adopters, volunteers, staff and supporters came to know, and for many people, it became synonymous with Sydney Dogs & Cats Home. 

When it came time to leave, we began the enormous job of relocating our operations while working towards a permanent new home.

6. Carlton was never going to be our forever home

While Carlton became such an important part of our story, we leased the site rather than owned it. After decades of use, the ageing facilities were no longer fit for purpose or able to accommodate what we would need in the future. 

When the owner scheduled the site for redevelopment, we needed to find a new home. The timing came sooner than anticipated forcing us to seek urgent temporary facilities, but it also accelerated our plans to create a purpose-built facility that could better support the animals and community in our care. 

That journey eventually led us to Kurnell.

7. The journey to our new home took years

Finding our way from Carlton to Kurnell has been a long journey. 

After leaving the home we had known for generations, our teams and animals operated across temporary facilities while plans for our new purpose-built shelter became a reality. 

With land and cornerstone funding provided by the NSW Government, we began the enormous task of creating a new home from the ground up, while raising the additional funds needed to complete the project. 

Now, in our 80th year, we’re finally beginning our next chapter at Kurnell. 

8. It’s not actually just dogs and cats 

Despite our name, dogs and cats aren’t the only animals to have come through our doors. 

Over the years, council rangers have brought other animals into our care too. In fact, more than 60 rabbits came into our care in just one financial year. 

Just like the dogs and cats we care for, these animals received the support they needed while waiting to find a home. 

80 years and counting 

A lot has changed over the past 80 years. We’ve had different names, called different places home and cared for countless animals along the way. 

But through all that change, our goal has remained the same: to give Sydney’s lost and abandoned animals the care and support they need. 

 Published: 11 September 2026