Local pet-owners will receive their annual animal registration renewal notice in the mail this week.
Under the Victorian Government’s Domestic Animals Act 1994, all dogs and cats over the age of three months must be registered by 10 April. This is the same date every year and in 2022, the final payment date is a Sunday.
To renew a pet’s registration for 2022, residents can simply review the notice received in the mail and pay the registration cost by any of the ways listed, including:
In-person at Council’s Customer Service Centres: 2 Pope Street, Bannockburn and 19 Heales Street, Smythesdale
By BPAY
Over the phone at 5220 7111
Or through Post Billpay.
Residents can also sign-up to a payment plan via BPAY to break up the cost of their pet registration by calling Council’s Customer Service team at 5220 7111.
Owners with microchipped and desexed pets pay the discounted rate of $48, rather than the full annual registration fee is $138 per cat and $155 per dog. Further discounts are available for certain card holders. For a detailed list of discounted options, visit goldenplains.vic.gov.au/pet-registration.
Pet registration is compulsory under Victorian law and there are benefits to pet-owners of ensuring their pet’s registration is up-to-date. When registered pets are lost or stray away from home, registration makes it easy for Council to safely and quickly reunite pets and owners, a service that Golden Plains Shire Council offers free for the first return to home.
Residents who would like to receive their pet registration notices by email and pay them online in the future, can register at erates.goldenplains.vic.gov.au. Residents who receive a notice for a pet they no longer own are asked to complete and return the Statement of Change slip on the back of the notice.
Mayor Cr Gavin Gamble encouraged residents to renew their pet registration and register their animals.
“Last year, Council developed its Domestic Animal Management Plan 2022-2025 and 327 residents completed the community survey, providing valuable information about animal management services of dogs and cats in Golden Plains Shire. Registration of pets supports Council’s animal management services and delivers initiatives from the Plan to promote responsible pet ownership and the welfare of cats and dogs.
“Registration of pets is compulsory under Victorian law so Council offers a payment plan that’s open to all residents. We appreciate that our communities care about their pets and we want to support all residents to be responsible pet-owners and keep their registration renewed every year.”