Pound pets are enjoying their new digs

Published: 04 Jan 2022

Council's Animal Management Centre (AMC) has a new “leash on life” following recent upgrades.

Construction of the new administration and kennel buildings are now complete, and staff began operating out of their new offices yesterday (Wednesday, December 15).

The existing facility will now be demolished so the second stage of upgrades can begin.

Mayor Greg Williamson said the new kennel building would provide an additional 12 dog enclosures (increasing from 18 to 30).

“These upgrades will allow council to continue to meet the needs of our growing community into the future and have brought the facility into line with current animal management standards,” Mayor Williamson said.

“The new dog kennels have been designed with improved health and safety features,” he said.

“They allow staff to tend to dogs needs and clean one side of the enclosure at a time, without having to come into direct contact with the dogs, providing an increased level of protection for staff.

“Improvements have also been made to enhance the experience of animals staying at the AMC, including the installation of large fans and ventilation to improve airflow as well as speakers that will play background music throughout the kennel building, all helping to reduce anxiety in the animals.

“CCTV cameras have also been installed throughout the facility to increase security.”

The second stage of the project involves the demolition of the existing facility and construction of an enforcement dogs and cattery building in its place.

This building will include an additional 12 dog kennels (total of 42 kennels once the facility is complete) and a total of 22 large cat condos (an increase of 13 from the existing nine cat cages).

“This new building will serve as a purpose-built area for holding and displaying cats and dogs that require increased security. It will also include visiting veterinary rooms and hydro bath infrastructure,” Mayor Williamson said.

This work is expected to be completed by May 2022.

This $3.39 million project is jointly funded by the Queensland Government’s Building our Regions Fund and Mackay Regional Council.



If you are looking to add a new pet to your family, residents are encouraged to consider adoption and give an abandoned cat or dog a second chance at life.

Please visit the Pet Search site to see what animals are currently available for adoption.

Visiting hours to the Animal Management Centre are from 11.30am to 1.30pm, Monday to Friday.