A PRIVATELY owned animal pound in Sydney is to become the first in the state to promise not to put any animals down, and to find homes for every healthy pet that comes through its doors.

The ambitious aim has been achieved by shelters elsewhere, said Tim Vasudeva, the strategic development officer of the Sydney Cats and Dogs Home in Carlton.

Somebody to love ... Tim Vasudeva with Max the malamute, who is looking for a home. A border collie cross and twin Jack Russells also make their pitches to potential owners. Credit:Adam Hollingworth

The Getting to Zero initiative, started by the Queensland Animal Welfare League, means pounds make a public commitment to finding homes for all the healthy, well-adjusted dogs and cats in their care.

Dangerous breeds, aggressive animals and feral cats cannot be found homes, so the best case scenario - as achieved by the league's Gold Coast shelter in Coombabah - is homes found for about 90 per cent of dogs and 75 per cent of cats.