A new collaboration between two local councils will help find homes for lost pets.
Noosa Council has outsourced its pound services to Sunshine Coast Council following the RSPCA Queensland decision to close its Noosa pound service and animal shelter.
Noosa mayor Frank Wilkie said the new partnership was an example of neighbouring councils working together to share resources.
“We’re fortunate to have a community of very responsible pet owners so our local laws staff only handle a very small number of lost cats and dogs each month,” he said.
“But for those we do pick up, where their owners can’t be immediately reached, they can rest assured their pets will receive first-class care through this new partnership.”
The arrangement started last month, with Noosa Council officers now taking lost animals to the Sippy Creek Animal Pound if they can’t contact the owner.
Noosa Council acting property manager Hayley Jamieson said Sunshine Coast Council had the systems in place to meet the strict standards required to operate a pound.
“By partnering with our neighbours, we spare our ratepayers the significant cost of establishing and running our own facility,” she said.
Sunshine Coast Council’s Service Excellence Portfolio councillor Christian Dickson said that with the closure of RSPCA Queensland’s Noosa facility, his council was happy to take over the responsibility.
“Our modern facility, with 32 individual cat enclosures and 32 dog kennels, reunited 380 lost animals with their owners in 2024 and helped 632 animals find their forever homes,” Cr Dickson said.
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“Since Sunshine Coast Council’s Pet Partner Program was established in 2017 with not-for-profit animal shelters, we have successfully rehomed more than 6000 lost and surrendered animals.
“Through our strong working relationships with these local, community-run animal shelters and organisations, the team at our Sippy Creek Animal Pound will continue to provide complete support for all animals in their care.”
To report a lost or roaming animal in Noosa, contact Noosa Council on 5329 6500. The Sippy Creek Animal Pound is located at 48 Sippy Creek Road, Tanawha, and can be contacted on 5439 8000.
