For almost 70 years, it has been a sanctuary for lost and abandoned animals.
But now it is the Sydney Dogs and Cats Home that needs saving after it was issued with an eviction deadline, to leave its current home.
Since 1946, the shelter has operated from the same premises at Carlton, with 10 councils from across Metropolitan Sydney relying on the not-for-profit organisation as a drop off point for unwanted dogs and cats, some having suffered cruelty.
It remains one of the few facilities in NSW in which the animals do not a have a time limit hanging over their heads.
However, the centre now finds itself on borrowed time, with its base slated for redevelopment.
"We lease the land and always have," said the shelter's spokeswoman Claire Garth, who added: "When it came to our renewal this time around, the owner advised us there would be no further extension beyond the current deal."
While the operation has until February before it is physically turfed out, it is anything but a routine relocation.
"Not only do we need to find a suitable piece of land, we also need to raise enough funds to build a shelter," said Ms Garth. "Even if we are lucky enough to find a location that comes with a building, it would still have to be decked out into a suitable, natural, animal holding and care facility."
An isolation ward for sick animals and a separate veterinary treatment room are among other facilities that would need to be installed. "It's a race against time ... we're essentially starting again," she said.
Each year, the home provides up to 3000 dogs and cats with a second chance in life.
Helena O'Leary said her family was bigger and better off for having made two previous trips to the shelter with daughter Jerri, 17, and son Christopher, 14.
"We originally adopted a little kitten, Princess Fiona, who has now been part of our lives for the past eight years," said Mrs O'Leary, from Rockdale, who added: "She's absolutely wonderful."
And a month ago, the family, returned and took home a staffy puppy, whom they named Charlie.
"He was found, at about eight or 10 weeks old, wandering around by himself, on the North Shore. Whether he was an unwanted Christmas present or not, we do not know. But he is so beautiful and we feel very lucky to have him. He gets a lot of love.
Ms Garth, in turn, said there had been no shortage of suitors for Charlie. "He was a very popular pup but we deemed Helena's family to be the best suited home for him."
It takes, on average, approximately three weeks to re-home animals. The shelter currently has provisions for 90 dogs and 90 cats at any one time.
Although its top priority is simply to find an alternative home, Ms Garth said the "dream scenario" would be a bigger base. "A bit more room on the ground would make all the difference to the animals," she said.
Greyhounds saved by a nose
Meet Ken and Ella. In the wake of the greyhound racing scandal, the pair were surrendered to the Sydney Dogs and Cats Home and now need a new home.
The owner gave the friendly natured two-year-olds up for adoption because they weren't considered the best of the best and would be better suited to a pet lifestyle.
They are the lucky ones. Numerous other owners are now under investigation over their treatment of the animals, including the killing of dogs that were considered no longer fast enough or good enough to race.
The shelter's spokeswoman, Claire Garth, said: "These two pooches are the ultimate lounge lizards - the common misconception is that greyhounds need a lot of exercise, and while they do love a good walk or run, they are actually at their happiest lounging around and snuggling up on the sofa. This makes them perfectly suited to apartment living - great for people living inner Sydney."
In new developments following the recent live-baiting scandal, the greyhound industry regulator, Greyhound Racing NSW, is considering a welfare and integrity levy, paid for by the industry, to subsidise the introduction of welfare reforms for the dogs.
However owners, breeders and trainers have criticised moves to raise the funds from them, saying the levy could come from streamlined administration costs of GRNSW.
In an update letter to the industry last week, GRNSW acting chief executive Paul Newson said: "Although the introduction of additional costs for the industry is always difficult to accommodate, the seriousness of the issues confronting greyhound racing in NSW and nationally must not be underestimated."
Shelter stats:
- 2756: Total number of animals taken in by the shelter
- 1452: Proportion that were cats (53 per cent)
- 143: Birds, pocket pets and others.
- 822: Animals later reunited with their families
- 760: The number of reunions involving dogs
- 53: The number of cats reclaimed.
- 200: Current number of people who donate time to either walk or play with shelter animals.
Source: Sydney Dogs and Cats Home (2013-14 financial year)
