The Canterbury-Bankstown Animal Shelter is inundated with furry friends needing a home, with an all-time high amount of stray and surrendered animals.

Returning to the office in post-COVID environment, access to housing and the ever-increasing cost of living are some of the reasons the Shelter is seeing more pooches than usual offered up for adoption or dumped on the streets.

The Shelter, which is currently at capacity, is caring for four times the number of animals than this time last year.

Canterbury-Bankstown Mayor Bilal El-Hayek urged the community to help clear the Shelter ahead of winter.

“If you do have room for one more in your family, please consider paying our Animal Shelter a visit,” Mayor El-Hayek said.

A number of ‘pandemic pooches’ and desperate dogs in need of a new home are temporarily residing at the Canterbury-Bankstown Animal Shelter.

One of those pooches, one-year-old Coco, has been residing at the Shelter since December last year. The American Staffordshire was picked up by Council Officers in Bass Hill after being abandoned by its owner.

Coco is a loveable, active and playful girl, who would be perfect for any family who loves being outdoors and going on adventures.

Mayor El-Hayek said the City of Canterbury Bankstown, along with many councils, had limited funds to care for the sudden surge in rescue animals.

“With more dogs, comes more costs.”

“We want to provide the best temporary care possible and make sure these pooches go to a loving home… and more funding from State Government would definitely take the pressure off local councils, like us.”

The Animal Shelter will continue to care for all animals until they are adopted.

This month only, the Shelter is offering a special adoption fee of $49 for all pets. The fee covers desexing, microchipping, vaccination and lifetime registration, as well as flea and worming treatment.

The Canterbury-Bankstown Animal Shelter is located on 651 Bringelly Road, Rossmore. For more information, call the Shelter on 0437 637 849 or visit facebook.com/CanterburyBankstownAnimalShelter