Sydney Dogs and Cats Home Reopens at Kurnell After $14.3 Million Government Contribution

Sydney Dogs and Cats Home has reopened at a new permanent site in Kurnell, in the Sutherland Shire, after a $14.3 million contribution from the Minns Labor Government. Mirage News reported the reopening on October 29, 2026.

Inside the Kurnell Site

The 20,000-square-metre facility on Crown land more than doubles the organisation's capacity. Sydney Dogs and Cats Home is a registered charity and Sydney's only charity pound, founded in 1946, providing adoption, foster care, lost pet reunification and public veterinary services.

The Kurnell site is expected to enable care for more than 3,000 animals each year, more than 2,000 adoptions, the reunion of more than 1,000 lost pets with their families and support for more than 800 animals through foster care. Construction was led by NSW Public Works.

It is the first permanent home for the organisation since it left its former site in Carlton in 2021. The government said the former Liberal Government provided a peppercorn lease for a new site but did not provide the funds to build it, putting the home at risk of closure.

Premier Chris Minns said: "After they had to leave their last home in 2021, they were at risk of shutting their doors altogether." Minister for Local Government Ron Hoenig said the government had also provided $6 million in grants to 58 rehoming organisations across NSW.

Sydney Dogs and Cats Home provides contracted pound services for eight councils: Georges River, Inner West, Lane Cove, North Sydney, Parramatta, Randwick, Strathfield and Waverley. The new facility will allow it to expand outreach to other Sydney councils.

Managing Director Melissa Penn said: "We still have more to build and fund so Kurnell can reach its full potential, and we can care for even more animals who need us."

The Capital Campaign Behind Kurnell

According to akta.pro company records, Sydney Dogs and Cats Home launched the 'Make Home Happen' capital campaign in 2024 to build the Kurnell shelter, with a $21.6 million goal. The campaign had raised over $15.3 million, including a $1 million donation from philanthropist Basil Sellers AM.

In 2024 the organisation also moved operations to temporary facilities in Austral, for kennels, and South Strathfield, for its cattery and veterinary services, after an eviction from its previous site due to redevelopment. The same records show 870 pets rehomed and 239 pets reunited between July 2024 and June 2025, alongside over 7,200 volunteer hours logged.

What Comes Next for the Shelter

Penn said opening the doors marks the beginning of the next chapter, with more to build and fund at Kurnell. The organisation plans to extend its outreach to additional Sydney councils from the new site.