For information on registration and microchipping, responsibilities of pet owners, change of ownership, address and deceased pets, dogs in public places, impounded animals, off leash areas, barking dogs and dangerous and restricted dogs, visit the Companion Animals page.

Horses and Cattle 

The Local Government (Orders) Regulation 1993 and Council policy regulate the keeping of horses and cattle. Council policy states that no more than one (1) horse may be kept on any residential lot. In addition, anyone wishing to keep a horse in a residential area must obtain Council approval, before putting the horse on the property.

Applications for approval must be in writing and must be accompanied by letters from all adjoining neighbours stating that they  have no objection.

Horses and cattle must be kept at least 9 metres from any dwelling and horse yards and cattle yards must be enclosed to prevent the escape of the animal. Also, no part of a stable or yard may be less than one (1) metre from a dividing fence.

A development application and construction certificate must be submitted to Council and be approved before erecting a stable.

Pigs    

The keeping of pigs is regulated by the Local Government (Orders) Regulation 1993. Under the regulation pigs must be kept at least 60 metres from any dwelling, shop, office, factory, church or other place of public  worship, workshop, school or public place, which effectively prohibits them from being kept in Ryde. 

Poultry 

The Local Government (Orders) Regulation 1993 and Council policy regulate the keeping of poultry. Council policy allows  residents to keep up to 20 fowls without seeking prior approval.

Fowls must be kept at least 4.5 metres from any dwelling. Other kinds of poultry, such as ducks and geese, must be kept at least 30 metres from residences, which generally prevents them from being kept in residential areas.

Council policy prevents the keeping of roosters where crowing will cause offensive noise.

Poultry must not cause a nuisance or danger to health and poultry yards must be kept clean and free of offensive odours. Poultry yards must also be enclosed to prevent the escape of the poultry and poultry houses must be paved with concrete under the roosts or perches. Building approval may also be required to erect a poultry house.

Rabbits    

The rabbit must be a domestic breed and must be securely housed. The City of Ryde will investigate complaints about the keeping of domestic rabbits. If you would like to make a complaint please contact the City's Customer Service Centre on (02) 9952 8222.

Council does not have any powers to impound domestic rabbits that have been abandoned. Therefore any complaints relating to abandoned rabbits should be referred to the RSPCA on (02) 9709 5433 as they have powers to deal with abandoned animals under the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act 1979.

The City of Ryde will investigate complaints regarding feral rabbits on Council land only. All complaints relating to feral rabbits on  all other land i.e. private property should be directed to the Moss Vale Rural Lands Protection Board on (02) 4655 9165 where  they will investigate and issue an Eradication Order if necessary.

Sheep and Goats   

Council policy requires anyone wishing to keep a sheep or goat to apply to Council in writing for approval. Each case is  considered on its merits, including the size of the allotment and distances to residences.

Council Environmental Health Officers investigate complaints concerning the keeping of animals in Ryde and may impose more  stringent conditions as required.

Development consent is required to keep animals for commercial purposes. 

Cruelty

Any person wishing to make a complaint about cruelty should be advised to contact the following:

• RSPCA: (02) 9709 5433
• Animal Welfare League: (02) 9606 9333
• Local Police Stations - Ryde (02) 9807 3100, Eastwood (02) 9858 5944, Gladesville (02) 9879 9699