Mr Coleman confirmed the RSPCA had briefed NSW Local Government Minister Paul Toole that its Yagoona facility is at "full greyhound holding capacity" and "overfull with stray animals". Caroline Hamilton with ex-racing greyhound Milkshake, who is at the Sydney Dogs and Cats Home waiting for a new family. Credit:Peter Rae "Our tipping point has already arrived," warned Mr Coleman. 'If you remove the Sydney Dogs and Cats Home from the equation, it is no exaggeration to say we would go into meltdown." He said if the home does shut, the overflow of animals would be funnelled to either the RSPCA or the Renbury Farm Animal Shelter which services three council areas across Sydney's south-west. "But that itself has been identified as a site to be redeveloped and is also on its way out," said Mr Coleman. "We need to find the Sydney Dogs and Cats Home a new, bigger base and we need to find it now." The shelter is the only facility of its kind in NSW that does not place a time limit on animals in its care. Following council amalgamations, the greyhound racing scandal and closure of other facilities, demand for its services has never been higher. Aside from giving abandoned animals a second chance, it runs a range of community projects that enriches the lives of the elderly and people with disabilities and mental illness.

For more than a year now, the shelter has lobbied the NSW government for a parcel of Crown land in Sydney's inner city where it can build a new base. Its own home at Carlton, in Sydney's south, was slated for apartments. Sydney Dog and Cats Home in Carlton is moving for the first time since it set up in 1949. Credit:Steven Siewert Since its lease ended in February it has been operating in the knowledge that it could be given four week's notice at any time. To date, staff and supporters have raised almost $1 million towards the cost of building new facilities. However, despite representations from a cross-section of politicians at both state and federal level, there has been "zero response". The shelter's general manager Claire Garth said no one can understand why government hasn't acted "given the role we play". "We have a waiting list of councils and they're calling weekly for updates on when we might have a bigger facility to accommodate them," said Ms Garth.

As the government continues to grapple over a solution, Ms Garth pointed out the "perfect site" became available last week. "We were so impressed with the Premier's action on greyhounds. It's a fantastic move and there's now a golden opportunity to use part of Wentworth Park for our new facility." She said with improved facilities, a range of educational opportunities could also open up with local schools. "Turning a greyhound racing track into a state-of-the-art animal shelter would be a very nice bookend to a sad chapter," she said. A spokeswoman for the Minister for Primary Industries Niall Blair said the government was "exploring all potential Crown land options", adding: "The organisation plays an important role in our community and we will leave no stone unturned." In the days since Mr Baird announced his decision to outlaw dog racing in NSW, those in the industry have vented emotion and hostility. In turn, some of the finer details behind the systemic cruelty and mistreatment Mr Baird referred to in his speech on Thursday have been buried. For the overwhelming majority of dogs that do not make the cut, a premature and often horrific death is inevitable. The commission's investigations found "masses" of unwanted greyhounds ended up in vet clinics and referral centres where they were sedated and drained of their blood before being euthanised, because it was cheaper than buying blood from blood banks.

The greyhound blood had also become a commodity among universities, research centres and drug companies. The University of Melbourne's dental school uses ex-racing dogs, supplied by a NSW breeder, in surgical experiments which include drilling into the jaws of live dogs and inserting dental implants. The dogs were then kept alive for a period of time to see how they responded. Do you know more? eduff@fairfaxmedia.com.au