We’re here to help you navigate what to do if you come across a wandering or stray dog, or encounter injured wildlife on the Gold Coast. Our mission is to provide clear and straightforward guidance so you can act quickly and responsibly, ensuring these animals receive the care they need.
Here are the three most important areas to be aware of.
Stray Animals
Contact the Gold Coast City Council for help in reuniting lost pets with their owners.
Lost Animals
Contact the Gold Coast City Council for help in reuniting lost pets with their owners.
Injured Wildlife
Your local veterinary clinic, RSPCA, Currumbin Wildlife Hospital or Wildcare are all able to assist with the treatment and care of native animals.
With these key resources, you’ll know exactly who to contact to make sure both domestic and wild animals are looked after properly.
Found a stray dog or cat? Here’s what to do:
Please note that it is an offense to keep a found animal.
For more information, follow the link to the Gold Coast City Council Lost & Found Animals page Lost & found animals | City of Gold Coast
Contact the Gold Coast City Council
This is the safest and fastest way to get stray animals back home quickly, and to the correct owner! You have three options;
Option 1: Take the stray home & call the Council (free collection).
If it’s safe, take the animal home and call the Council on (07) 5667 5990.
For after-hours help, press ‘1’ to reach the Council’s Emergency Service.
The Council will check if the pet has a registered tag and contact the owner. If they can’t, they will collect the animal from you, usually within two hours.
You can also take the animal to the pound at Shelter Road, Coombabah, if needed.
Option 2: Take the stray directly to the Council (free drop-off).
If you can’t keep the animal at home & wait for Council to collect from you, you can drop the stray animal off to;
- Coombabah Rehoming Centre – Shelter Road, Coombabah, (07) 5581 7600
- Animal Welfare League – Next to Council, open 7 days, (07) 5509 9000
Option 3: Use the Council holding pens (free drop-off).
Council holding pens are available for found animals, even after hours. These pens are secure, sheltered, and have water. Once the animal is in the pen, it will automatically lock. Once the animal is safely inside, call the Council to provide details of the animal (07) 5667 5990 (business hours). Pens are monitored closely by the Council.
Holding Pen Locations:
- Merrimac Holding Pens – Boowaggan Road
- Stapylton Holding Pens – Rossmans Road
Veterianry Practices: Why strays should not be taken to Vets.
Where possible, please avoid taking stray animals to veterinary practices. Stray animals should be taken directly to the Gold Coast City Council, or you should contact the Council for assistance and collection. Here’s why animal control is best left to the Council;
1. Delayed Collection
The Gold Coast City Council does not guarantee same-day collection from veterinary practices. This means the animal could be sitting in a cage for hours or even days, which is not in the best interest of the animal, the practice, or the owners searching for them. Additionally, Council does not offer collection services from vets on weekends, and most veterinary practices are closed on Saturdays or Sundays (or both). As a result, vets are not able to accept strays.
2. Disease Risk
Stray animals, especially those unvaccinated, may carry diseases like Kennel Cough, posing a serious risk to the health of other patients in a veterinary practice.
3. Stress to Patients
Stray dogs often bark and create significant noise, causing distress to other animals in a veterinary practice, many of whom are sick, injured, or recovering from surgery. These patients rely on a peaceful environment for proper recovery, and the presence of a loud stray can hinder their recovery. Stray animals cannot be sedated by veterinarians to maintain a calm atmosphere, which poses a risk to the well-being and recovery of other patients in their care.
4. Cage Space
Vets offer vital care to injured wildlife, a service provided by them without government support. They need cage space to treat these animals as well as their own hospital and surgical patients. Most clinics lack the capacity to house stray animals in addition to their other responsibilities.
5. Staff Safety
Veterinarians typically don’t have the specialised equipment required to safely handle unruly animals. In a clinical setting, animals can be sedated with the owner’s consent, but this option is not available for strays. As a result, veterinary staff are at a higher risk of injury. In contrast, council officers are trained and properly equipped to manage stray animals safely and effectively.
For the safety and well-being of everyone involved, please contact the Council if you find a stray animal. The Council is trained, equipped, and responsible for handling these situations. By doing so, you allow veterinary practices to focus on caring for their patients who truly need them.
Unable to Stop or Secure the Stray?
If you encounter a stray dog or cat but can’t secure them, please report the sighting to the Gold Coast Council at (07) 5667 5990. You can also share the sighting on the Gold Coast Lost and Found Pets Facebook page. Be sure to provide a clear description of the animal and its location, for example: “Staffordshire Bull Terrier spotted on Bailey Street, near number 72. Was seen running West, toward Cyprus Street.
Gold Coast Lost & Found Pets Facebook Page
The Gold Coast Lost & Found Pets page is a well-known resource where owners frequently report missing pets and others share found animals. You might find a post from the owner and be able to contact them directly. Additionally, you can post about the animal you’ve found, giving the owner a chance to reach out to you quickly.