Register your cat or dog

Rules about registration

If you have a dog or cat, you must do the following:

• it is now mandatory for all cats or dogs to be microchipped before being registered for the first time
• microchip and register your pet at three months of age
• renew your animal registration(s) every year by 10 April, Council will send you a renewal notice each year 
• notify Council if you move as we will need to change your address in our database 

Please note that NEW animals cannot be registered unless they are microchipped.

When you register a dog or cat, we keep a record of your pet's name, and your name, address and contact details. This will help Council to identify your pet if your pet is reported lost and then found.

We also keep a record of how many dogs and cats you own or how many live at your property.

You will need a apply for a Multiple Pet Permit from Council if you have more than two dogs and/or two cats per residential household (or more than one in a flat or unit).

Guide Dogs and Service Dogs must also be registered with Council, however, no annual registration fees are payable.  Complete the normal registration form (PDF 117Kb) and attach a copy of the service papers.  Please note, guard dogs are not considered to be service animals.

You do not need to register pets, such as birds, fish and rabbits or guinea pigs.

Please note: 

• you must follow particular restrictions in relation to dangerous and restricted breeds of dogs.
• you may be fined if your cat or dog is over three months old and is not registered, and 

Registration fees

Registration fees until 9 April 2012 are as follows :

Please note that NEW animals cannot be registered unless they are microchipped. 

• Moreland will continue to renew registration of unmicrochipped animals that were already registered with Council on 1 May 2007
• no discounts apply to the government fee of $3.50 per dog and $2 per cat
• pensioner discount applies for holders of a current valid Pensioner Concession Card. A 50% discount applies to the registration fee. Note: Health Card holders are not eligible for the pensioner discount
• if your animal is registered with another Council, and you move to Moreland, we will accept a transfer of registration. You will be required to provide proof of your pet's current registration, and
• Council does not provide a refund of animal registration fees for animals that move or are deceased.

Restricted breeds - new legislation

This Domestic Animals Amendment (Restricted Breeds) Act 2011 Act (39/2011 ) came into operation on 30 September 2011. There are major changes for owners of restricted breed dogs.

The previous amnesty given to owners of restricted breeds has now been removed.

If you own a restricted breed dog, you must have registered your dog by 30 September 2011. Animals born after to 1 September 2010 cannot be registered.

Restricted breed dogs that were born after 1 September 2010 or were not registered prior to 30 September 2011 can be seized and destroyed.

If you own a restricted breed dog and it is already registered with Council, you need to comply with the requirements for keeping of a restricted breed dog. Please contact Council’s Animal Management Officers for advice by calling 9240 1111

Further information will be made available once published by the State Government.

Why we must register our dogs and cats

You must register your dog or cat by law.

Upon registration Council will issue you with a registration number and a lifetime tag. Your animal must wear the issued Council registration tag.

If your dog or cat is reported as lost, the registration tag will assist our Council animal management officers locate the owner.

Microchipping is now compulsory. The microchip number is unique to your animal for it's lifetime. The Council registration number is unique to the Moreland Council registration register. Having a microchip number does not mean that your animal in registered with the Council.

It is also recommended that your dog or cat have a separate ID tag with its name, phone number and address, so neighbours can return your pet if it escapes.

Register your pet with Council for the first time

1. By law first time registered dogs or cats must be microchipped. 
2. Print, fill in and sign a dog and cat registration form (PDF 117Kb). Contact Council if you would like a form mailed to you.
3. Please provide a copy of a de-sexing certificate, microchipping certificate and a pensioner concession card if applicable.
4. Lodge your completed application form together with all other documentation at any Council Citizen Service Centre or send by post with the appropriate payment to Moreland City Council, Locked Bag 10 Moreland Vic 3058. 
5. Council will provide you with a lifetime registration tag (replacements are available free of charge). Place the tag on your pet’s collar.

Renew your pet registration

If you have a dog or cat, you must renew the registration every year by 10 April. 

• Council will send you a copy of your animal registration renewal notice in the mail.
• To renew your pet's registration, pay the renewal amount online, by phone or pay in person, or post.
• Once your payment has been received, your pet's registration is renewed for another year.

Transfer of pet ownership

If you have been given an animal which is registered with Moreland City Council in another person's name, you need to:

1. Complete a Statutory Declaration (DOC 29Kb) advising Council that you are the owner of the animal.  The name of the previous owner of the animal must be included.
2. Post, email or bring the declaration to a Council Citizen Service Centre
3. Council will change the animal ownership to you.  You will become responsible for all registration fees for the animal.

Lost your pet’s registration tag?

If your pet's Council tag is lost, Council will replace your pet's tag free of of charge.

Files

• Dog and Cat Registration Form (PDF 117Kb)
• Statutory Declaration to Transfer Pet Ownership (DOC 29Kb)

Links

• Animal groups and organisations - Online Community Directory 
• Dog obedience clubs  - Online Community Directory
• Domestic Animals Act 1994
• Laws for Restricted Breed Dogs (Department of Primary Industries website)
• Laws for Menacing and Dangerous Dogs (Department of Primary Industries website)

If you cannot download or use a PDF document please contact Council.