MORE than 150 animals have been rehomed after finding themselves at the Bathurst pound this year, but new animals are sure to arrive to take their place.
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Rehoming animals has been big focus in recent years, with Bathurst Regional Council and the pound becoming more active and innovative in letting the community know about animals looking for new homes.
In 2017, 47 per cent of the 609 dogs that came to the pound were rehomed, while 26 per cent of the cats under council's care were adopted.
The results were better in 2018, seeing 67 per cent of dogs (448) rehomed and 30 per cent of cats (98).
Mayor Bobby Bourke said that in 2019 to date there have been 117 cats and 136 dogs rehomed.
As of Friday, the pound had 18 dogs and puppies and 13 kittens and one adult cat in foster care, due to return to the facility in the new year.
While there has been interest in pet adoptions from the pound, more animals are expected to be surrendered in the coming weeks.
"At the moment it is kitten season so we are inundated with unwanted litters of kittens from non-desexed cats this will continue on after Christmas," Cr Bourke said.
"We do expect to get more animals surrendered after Christmas and New Year."
One of the factors that contributes to this is people who buy pets as gifts for Christmas.
In some cases, the recipient isn't in a position to care for the animal and ends up having to surrender them.
Cr Bourke said the advice council and the pound would like to give is "to consider carefully the implications of giving a pet as a gift this Christmas."
The pound will be open during its normal operating hours on Christmas Eve before closing for the Christmas/New Year period.
It will reopen at 12.30pm on January 2.
"Stray or found dogs may still be taken to the pound and placed in the drop off cages," Cr Bourke said.
"For emergency cat, dog or stock impounding matters, call council's after hours number on 6334 2795."
