Older dogs and cats who find themselves at Hawkesbury Companion Animal Shelter stand next to no chance of adoption, according to a local animal rehoming group.
The facility, run by Hawkesbury Council, has a fixed pricing structure for all of its adoption, irrespective of the animal’s age.
The shelter charges a flat rate of $360 for dogs, be they pups or seniors, and likewise, $254.10 for cats.
This fee includes desexing, vaccination, microchipping and lifetime registration.
The group representative, who wished to be anonymous so as to not jeopardise future dealings with the shelter, said they felt compelled to raise the matter with the Gazette after seeing a 16-year-old cattledog advertised with the $360 fee.
The Gazette contacted neighbouring Blacktown City Council, which has a different pricing structure at its holding facility. The cost is dependent on the age of a dog or cat. The fee is dramatically reduced for senior animals to encourage adoption.
For pups, Blacktown Council charges $350, but for dogs seven years and older it charges $165 for a male and $185 for a female.
Blacktown City Council Animal Holding Facility animal rehoming officer Brandon Cowan said sometimes, the adoption fee was simply waived, providing the animal was going to a good home.
Mr Cowan said the facility did not want animals spending lengthy times in the facility and did its best to re-home the animals as quickly as possible.
“We do our best to lower our barriers to adopt and get the pets into good homes,” he said.
“Our pricing policy is flexible, so as well as having reduced fees, if we have a long term dog, we drop the price.
“We don't want to put them down and we do want them rehomed.”
Mr Cowan said Blacktown took in dogs and cats from multiple local government areas, and most were rehomed quickly.
“Our euthanasia rate is rock bottom. We only do it when they are sick and it would be cruel to let them live,” he said.
“We have about 30 empty kennels.”
The Gazette contacted Hawkesbury Mayor Mary Lyons-Buckett, who said she understood a review was taking place into Council’s policy regarding the shelter.
“Personally, I believe the pricing restructure could have distinct advantages in allowing the homing of older dogs and cats,” she said.
“I am unaware of the rates for adoption of animals of varying ages.
“I would hope whatever measures could be taken to better improve and encourage adoption rates could be put in place.”
