Local pet owners will start to receive their annual animal registration notice.
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.
Why is registration of cats and dogs important and is it the same as microchipping your furry friend?
Microchipping and registration are different and both help ensure lost pets are returned home. Your pet’s microchip details are held by the issuing registry, such as Central Animal Records.
When you register with Golden Plains Shire Council, you provide the microchip number. If your pet gets out, our Community Safety Officers can scan the chip and quickly identify you through Council records.
If we can’t confirm ownership, your pet must go to an animal shelter and fees apply. Registered pets with reachable owners or emergency contacts receive a free first ride home.
Your registration is beneficial for more than just helping to reunite furry family members
Pet registration fees allow the Community Safety Officers at Council to provide a broad range of other important animal related services. This includes investigating dog attacks, dealing with nuisance problems like barking dogs and unowned animals, and investigating welfare reports.
To renew a pet’s registration for 2026, residents can review the notice received in the mail and pay the registration cost by any of the ways listed below:
- BPAY
- Australia Post Billpay
- Council’s website
You can learn more about Council’s animal management services here.