Don’t forget to pay your animal registration fees

If you own a dog it is time to renew its registration or to register your furry friend for the first time.

Council this week issued its animal renewal/registration notices for the period 1 July 2020 to 30 June 2021.

Mayor Kerry Hayes said if pet owners haven’t received a notice by 30 June 2020, it is their responsibility to contact council to arrange payment and ensure their pet’s registration is up to date.

‘This includes new animals to the region, change of ownership or those who may not have been registered in previous financial years,’ he said.

Registration fees are due by 28 August 2020 and non-payment of outstanding registrations will result in enforcement action and on-the-spot fines in excess of $266.

Council’s General Manager Communities John McDougall said council is introducing a regular inspection program from September to ensure people have registered their dogs.

‘In 2019-20 around 3,100 dogs were registered in the Central Highlands region,’ he said.

‘However, council believes the actual numbers of dogs owned by residents is 15-20% higher which is why we are taking this step to ensure compliance.’

Mayor Hayes said it is important all pet owners do the right thing and pay their registration.

‘Our animal registration scheme is not a revenue-raising exercise for council,’ he said.

‘Rather, it is about responsible pet ownership. If your dog is registered and is found wandering the street, council officers may be able to return it to you much more quickly.

‘Registration starts at $20 for microchipped and desexed dogs with a dog that is not desexed and microchipped costing $127.50 to register.

‘Council has kept the cost low to ensure it is affordable for pet owners and to encourage people to comply.’

Mayor Hayes said council introduced lifetime registration tags in 2019.

‘This means that the tag you received for your dog’s registration renewal last year will not be replaced with a new one this year. If your current tag is lost or damaged it must be replaced at your expense,’ he said.

To make the renewal process easier, council has introduced an online renewal process this year, allowing residents 24-hour access to complete their renewal during the period.