Adopt a pet

Dog on beach

I want to adopt a pet 

View the animals currently in Council care.

The adoption process looks a little different for each animal and depends on the animal's current status.

It is important to note that anyone adopting a pet must go to Council’s Customer Service Centre to complete paperwork and pay any related fees before collecting their new pet. 

The steps that follow will give you a snapshot of what the adoption process looks like after you've found a pet a Kempsey Pound.

Animal is already microchipped, registered and desexed

  1. Contact us on 02 6566 3200 and quote the Council reference number for the animal you're interested in adopting.
  2. The impounding officer at Kempsey Pound will contact you to discuss the adoption process and any fees you may have to pay. There's no fee if the animal is already microchipped and registered. 
  3. The officer will ask if you'd like to meet the animal first to get to know its temperament. This stage may take a couple of days if the animal is with a foster carer.  
  4. If you decide to adopt the animal, you’ll need to go to Council’s Customer Service Centre to complete the change of ownership forms.  
  5. The officer will arrange a time for you to collect the animal from Kempsey Pound or drop the animal off to you directly.  

Animal is microchipped but not registered or desexed

  1. Contact us on 02 6566 3200 and quote the Council reference number for the animal you're interested in.
  2. The impounding officer at Kempsey Pound will contact you to discuss the adoption process and the registration fee. 
  3. The officer will ask if you'd like to meet the animal first to get to know its temperament. This stage may take a couple of days if the animal is with a foster carer.  
  4. If you don't want to have the animal desexed, you’ll need to go to Council’s Customer Service Centre to complete the change of ownership forms and pay the registration fee for an intact animal. The impounding officer will arrange a time for you to collect the animal from Kempsey Pound or drop the animal off to you directly. 
  5. If you would like to have the animal desexed and pay a discounted registration fee, you’ll need to contact your preferred vet clinic in Kempsey and make an appointment. On the appointment date, the impounding officer will drop the animal off at the vet for you. Before you can collect your new pet from the vet, you’ll need to visit Council’s Customer Service Centre to complete the paperwork and pay the registration fee.

Animal is not microchipped, not registered and not desexed

  1. Phone us on 6566 3200 and quote the Council reference number of the animal you’re interested in. 

  2. The impounding officer at Kempsey Pound will contact you to discuss the adoption process and the fees. 

  3. The officer will ask if you'd like to meet the animal first to get to know its temperament. This stage may take a couple of days if the animal is with a foster carer. 

  4. If you don't want to have the animal desexed, you will need to complete the registration forms and pay the fees for the microchipping and registration of an intact animal. You’ll need to contact your preferred vet clinic in Kempsey and make an appointment for microchipping. 

  5. If you would like to have the animal desexed and pay a discounted registration fee, you’ll need to contact your preferred vet clinic in Kempsey and make an appointment for desexing and microchipping. Note: You must have your new pet microchipped, even if you have decided not to desex your animal. On the appointment date, the impounding officer will drop the animal off at the vet for you. Before you collect your new pet from the vet, you'll need to visit Council’s Customer Service Centre to complete the paperwork and pay the registration fee. 

  6. Once you’ve collected the animal, you’ll need to return to Council’s Customer Service Centre with the animal’s desexing and microchip certificates to complete the registration process.

 

 

The timeline for the adoption process depends on whether the animal is currently with a foster carer and what you would like to do: meet the animal first or arrange desexing, depending on veterinary clinic appointment availability.  

This adoption process has been put in place to ensure the safety and well-being of these animals.

We are here for you throughout the process and can support you through our Customer Service team.

Information about Kempsey Pound  

View the animals currently in Council care 

Kempsey Pound (Rehoming Organisation Number: R251000154) is provided as a service to residents in Kempsey Shire for lost, surrendered or unclaimed cats and dogs. Animals are kept safe and protected until their owner can be contacted. 

By law, animals are held for 14 days if microchipped and seven days if not microchipped.

Where is the Kempsey Pound located?

View the animals currently in Council care 

The pound is located at Frederickton. The road to the pound leads off the northern roundabout of the Pacific Highway interchange at Frederickton.   

 

 

I want to foster an animal 

Kempsey Shire Council works closely with the Friends of Kempsey Pound to coordinate the best temporary care and fostering arrangements for animals in our pound. 

Friends of Kempsey Pound is a registered charity working to support local domestic animals and their owners. You can find more information about them through their Facebook page.