Pet registration renewal notices issued

Cat and dog owners will have started receiving their pet registration renewal notices.

East Gippsland Shire Council encourages responsible pet ownership. All cats and dogs from three months of age must be registered by 10 April each year as part of Victorian legislation.

Council’s Acting Manager Regulatory and Compliance Services Tony Gullone said there are a number of reasons why registering your pet is important.

“If you lose your dog or cat, having them registered with Council greatly improves their chances of being returned to you,” Mr Gullone said.

“Registration fees help provide animal welfare services such as the animal shelter, responding to incidents of wandering and aggressive dogs, education programs, and monitoring pet shops, boarding kennels and catteries for compliance with the minimum standards under the Codes of Practice,” Mr Gullone said.

A discounted registration is available in a few situations.

“These include if the animal has been desexed, is over 10 years old, belongs to a domestic animal business or applicable organisation, or if the pet is a dog that has undergone training or is a working dog,” Mr Gullone said.

"Animals not meeting any of these criteria will attract the full registration fee.”

Before being registered for the first time, pets must be microchipped. New registrations can be completed online, so pet owners do not need to visit a Customer Service Centre if it’s not convenient for them.

If your pet is displaced or longer with us, or you are facing financial hardship, please contact Council’s Community Laws team on 5153 9500.

For information on how to register your pet, visit our website.