New Orange pound due to open in November for lost cats and dogs

Orange City Council awarded the $324,000 fit-out of the Orange City Pound to a central west business, Inscape Projects, at the Council meeting last week.

Orange mayor Reg Kidd said the new facility was expected to open in November.

"This facility will be one of the best in the state with large exercise yards, a hydro bath for all dogs who enter the facility, a dedicated visiting veterinarian room and isolation rooms for sick pets," Cr Kidd said.

"The facility at Astill Drive can hold 30 dogs and 18 cats and will have after hour's drop-off cages.

"The after-hours drop off kennels were a feature the community had asked for, through our Companion Animals Community Committee, and we were able to discuss this particular need and ensure it featured in the final design."

He said despite a few "unexpected setbacks", the countdown was on until the facility could open.

"I'd like to thank the community and the committee for the patience shown in getting this project off the ground," Cr Kidd said.

Previously, the Orange branch of the RSPCA managed the city's stray pets on Council's behalf but decided not to continue with the arrangement in 2017.

Since then, council temporarily placed the city's stray pets at a private facility, with the intention to build its own permanent facility.

Orange City Council's companion animals community committee chair Stephen Nugent said he was pleased to see the facility near completion.

"Canobolas Family Pet Hospital has taken on the role of being the main drop-off point for stray pets over the last two years and the staff have done a fantastic job," Cr Nugent said.

"I'd like to thank them for their dedication and care in reuniting the city's lost pets.

"I'd also like to thank Blayney Veterinary Hospital for the services it has provided us during this time."

Cr Nugent said in an ideal world, the new pound would remain as empty of animals as it will be until the facility opens its doors.

He encouraged people to do what they could to make sure stray animals weren't forced to be taken to the pound, and were instead securely kept at home.

"Microchip your pets, put an identification tag on their collars, fix fences and keep them inside during thunderstorms," he said.

"The new facility at Narambla will provide a high-standard of care for the city's stray pets and will be an easily accessible venue for people who are looking for a new family pet and would prefer to adopt one."