An average of one is two households in Sutherland Shire includes a dog, new figures reveal.
The shire rated eighth in the top 10 local government areas for dog numbers with 46,947 registrations on the NSW Companion Animals Register in 2016-17.
The Census shows the usual resident population of the shire in 2016 was 218,464, living in 84,526 dwellings.
A breakdown of breeds in the shire was not available, but, throughout NSW, the loveable Labrador was “top dog”.
Minister for Local Government Gabrielle Upton said there were 114,088 registrations of Labrador Retrievers, followed by Staffordshire Bull Terriers (112,292) and the Jack Russell Terriers (90,610).
Other breeds in the top 10 included: Border Collie (80,344), German Shepherd (69,710), Maltese Terrier (68,158), Australian Kelpie (60,691), Cavalier King Charles Spaniel (43,269), American Staffordshire Terrier (40,669), and Rottweiler (40,267).
The top 10 local government areas for dog numbers were:
- Central Coast Council, 117,458.
- Blacktown City Council, 80,532,
- Lake Macquarie City Council, 77,828,
- Penrith City Council, 70,000,
- Wollongong City Council, 55,566.
- Northern Beaches Council, 51,797.
- Newcastle City Council, 47,988.
- Sutherland Shire Council, 46,947.
- Campbelltown City Council, 46,340.
- Canterbury-Bankstown Council, 42,946.
Ms Upton said more than 49,000 owners had created an account to record their ownership of animals using the new online registry since it was made available in July, 2016.
The new portal enables pet owners and breeders to update their contact details, transfer pet ownership and pay their lifetime registration online.
“The chances of lost pets being reunited with their owners are now much better if their owners have taken the opportunity to ensure their pets are registered,” she said.
Ms Upton said 5467 animals were returned to their owners in 2015-16 without being taken to a pound.
Visit: petregistry.nsw.gov.au.
