New pound has tails wagging

Lost pets and livestock on the Sunshine Coast are now being cared for at a new facility with council’s new Sippy Creek Animal Pound in Sippy Creek Road, Tanawha, officially open.

Construction commenced in January last year on the state-of-the-art facility which features a cattery building with 32 individual cat enclosures, a kennel building with 32 individual kennel modules, an assessment facility, a large animal enclosure, a poultry enclosure and central administration and reception building.

Mayor Mark Jamieson said the new Sippy Creek Animal Pound would have the ability to service the region’s growing pet population and animal management needs now and into the future.

“The former pound has been servicing the Coast for more than 30 years and demand on the service has grown significantly over that time,” Mayor Jamieson said.

“We have a commitment to safely house lost or abandoned animals and the new pound will enable us to do so in a way that is aligned with contemporary animal welfare obligations and guidelines.”

The central location of the new facility is integral to servicing the domestic animal, livestock and poultry population.

Environment Portfolio Councillor Jenny McKay said the new pound included some outstanding environmental features.

“The new Sippy Creek Animal Pound facility features an impressive list of sustainable design features including the water supply” Cr McKay said.

“Supply of water at the site is limited so the facility was designed to be self-contained for both water supply and wastewater management.

“The new pound features rainwater harvesting and retention systems, including six 20,000 litre rainwater tanks for the provision of potable water for the animals, plus two 10,000 litre bore water tanks that provide for cleaning and watering of grass.”

To make it easier for residents to collect their lost pets, the new pound has extended its trading hours and is open from Monday to Friday 8.15am – 6pm and Saturday 9am – noon.

The project was funded through council’s $183 million Capital Works Program as one of many operational, civil or recreational projects which council delivers to provide high quality services and facilities across the Sunshine Coast.

The Sippy Creek Animal Pound opening coincides with the 50th Anniversary of the Naming of the Sunshine Coast. A special opening plaque will be installed at the site to acknowledge this milestone.