For almost 80 years, Sydney Dogs & Cats Home (SDCH) has been a place of second chances. Every day, they open their doors to lost, abandoned, and neglected animals across Sydney. The wonderful team there give them the medical care, shelter, and love they need until they can find a family to call their own.
But as the need for their services grows, so does the need for a safe, permanent facility where this work can continue for generations to come.
That’s why SDCH has launched the Make Home Happen appeal – a vision to build a lasting sanctuary for Sydney’s most vulnerable pets.
From eviction to a grand vision
After being evicted from their premises two years ago due to re-development plans, the Sydney Dogs & Cats Home has been operating from two temporary facilities ever since.
And with the increasing number of abandoned pets – a situation greatly impacted by post-COVID-19 circumstances and the cost-of-living crisis – the team need all the support they can get to reach their project goal.
The Make Home Happen appeal is about building a new home in Kurnell that can help over 3,000 animals each year. That’s more than double what they can currently facilitate!
Having secured $12 million from the NSW government already, they’re over half way to raising the required $21.6 million to build their new home. Now, they’re asking the community of pet lovers and pet parents across Australia to help.
Read more about their progress to date >
How Sydney Dogs & Cats Home help vulnerable pets:
Building a home of hope
With thousands of animals come through the doors of Sydney Dogs & Cats Home each year.
Many arrive frightened, unwell, or unsure of what’s ahead.
SDCH provides shelter, food, veterinary care, and love to these vulnerable dogs and cats.
The Sydney Dogs & Cats Home isn’t like other shelters, either. They’re the only not-for-profit pound in Sydney that never places time limits on an animal’s stay.
Their new Home of Hope will not only provide modern kennels and catteries, but will also provide dedicated spaces for the animals to reduce stress, support rehabilitation, and give them the very best chance at adoption.
It’s more than a building. It’s about dignity, compassion, and the promise of a brighter future.
Impact stories
Behind every number and every fundraising milestone is a real animal whose life has been transformed.
From shy cats who learn to trust again, to loyal dogs who finally find their forever families, these stories remind us exactly why their Make Home Happen appeal is so important.
Here are just a few of the pets whose journeys capture what Sydney Dogs & Cats Home is all about.
How you can help the Sydney Dogs & Cats Home
While their appeal for support is well under way, there’s still $8 million left to reach the target.
So, SDCH are bringing the community together through their fundraising event, Hope Blooms. If you’re in Sydney, consider coming along and being part of a truly special night.
This event celebrates everything pets bring into our lives while raising money to make the new facility in Kurnell a reality. Every ticket sold brings us one step closer to “making home happen” for animals who need it most.
And if you can’t attend the event? You can still be part of the mission. Every donation, big or small, helps build the sanctuary where tails will wag, purrs will echo, and hope will truly bloom.
How every donation helps:
Every donation will directly contribute to building a new shelter that will:
- Support over 3,000 incoming animals every year (more than double the current intake)
- Increase adoptions to over 2,000 annually
- Ensure over 1,000 lost pets are reunited with their families annually
- Increase foster care placements to over 800 pets awaiting adoption
- Expand current services to more Sydney Councils
- Improve Sydney’s animal welfare and management
- Extend community outreach programs to improve the health and wellbeing of vulnerable Sydneysiders in aged care and domestic violence situations, provide mental health support to various groups, and support people in criminal justice programs
- Offer TAFE and University students studying veterinary sciences research, training, and practical education opportunities
Be part of a community that cares
Behind every adoption story is a network of people who believe in giving animals a second chance. Whether you’ve adopted from SDCH before, attended an event, or simply cheered them on from afar, you’re part of that story too!
Together, we can make sure Sydney Dogs & Cats Home continues to be a place of safety, healing, and love… now and for the future.
Because every pet deserves not just shelter, but a home.
