Pets

Your Pet Registration Includes:

• A new registration tag supplied each year for each animal to ensure it can be identified so your pet can quickly be returned to you if it becomes lost
• A 24/7 emergency collection service
• A pound service that is currently run by the Lost Dogs Home. If your animal is currently registered and wearing it's Council registration tag, you will be contacted as soon as possible to collect your pet
• A program to subsidise the de-sexing of pets living in Darebin and regular discounted microchipping days.
• Part of the registration fee includes the State Government Levy which is used to help provide education program’s for schools and preschools as well as adults. The levy is also used to fund State Government research into dog and cat welfare and control issues.
• One free pet registration per household for pensioners (the cheaper pet will receive the free registration where there are multiple pets per household).

Microchipping

The first time you register your pet, your pet will need to be microchipped. Microchipping your pet greatly improves their chances of being returned to you if they become lost. If you move house update your contact details with us which allows us to quickly reunite you with your pet.

  

How to Register

All cats and dogs over the age of 3 months must be registered with their local Council

Register online

You can register your dog or cat online.

As part of registering online, you will need to upload digital copies of relevant supporting documents, such as the microchipping certificate, and pay the registration fee by Visa or MasterCard.

Register by post or in person

 Complete the Pet Registration Form. Supply proof of desexing and microchipping along with your application.

1. Return the form with your fee payment to a Customer Service Centre.

 

Pet Registration Fees to 10 April 2018

 CAT REGISTRATION FEES

TYPE	FEES	PENSION FEE
Standard Cat	$86.00	$43.00
Reduced fee - Desexed or 10 years	$29.00	$14.50

 

DOG REGISTRATION FEES 

TYPE	FEES	PENSION FEE
Standard Dog	$151.00	$75.00
Reduced fee - Desexed or 10 years	$50.00	$25.00
Dogs registered with the Victorian Canine Association	$50.00	$25.00
Dogs that have undergone obedience training which complies with the regulations. for further information click here	$50.00	$25.00
Dogs declared as dangerous or menacing	$273.00	N/A
Domestic animal business conducted on registered premises	$210.00	N/A

 

Pet Registration Renewals

Pet registrations renewals can be made online at Payments Online.

Payments Online

 

Infringement Notices


All requests to have pet infringement notices withdrawn will be considered by the Appeals Committee.

If you are not satisfied with the decision, you may submit your case to the Magistrates Court. It will then be considered by an independent arbitrator. You may elect to have your case heard in the Magistrates Court at any time.

When is a Pet Permit required?
You will require a Council permit if you wish to keep more than:

• 2 Cats
• 2 Dogs
• 5 Poultry (excluding roosters)
• 5 Mice, rats, ferrets, guinea pigs, rabbits, hamsters
• 10 Birds (including budgerigars, canaries, finches and pigeons)

If an animal is to reside in premises with no backyard, a permit is required to keep any pet regardless of the number.

Which animals are not permitted?

• Roosters
• Horses, donkeys
• Cattle, sheep, goats, pigs
• Any animals not listed above

The animals listed above are only permitted in exceptional circumstances where residents can contact Council for a permit and it can be shown the animals can be adequately and responsibly cared for and will not have a detrimental effect on the community.

How to Apply

1. Complete the Pet Permit Form and seek written approval from your neighbours
2. Supply proof of your current licence or pet registration.
3. Return the form with your fee payment ($53) by mail or in-person at any Darebin Customer Service Centre.

Mail:
Animal Management Unit
Darebin City Council
PO Box 91
Preston VIC 3072

 

Domestic Animal Business Permits
Permits are also required for businesses who keep animals on their premises (pet shops, breeders, animal shelters, animal pounds). Complete the Domestic Animal Business Permit Form.Keeping any animals which have not been mentioned directly here must be done in accordance with any laws and with permission of Council.

Domestic Animal Business' must also comply with the Victorian Code of Conduct for additional information please visit www.agriculture.vic.gov.au/pets

 

Infringement Notices
All requests to have pet infringement notices withdrawn will be considered by the Appeals Committee.

 

If you are not satisfied with the decision, you may submit your case to the Magistrates Court. It will then be considered by an independent arbitrator. You may elect to have your case heard in the Magistrates Court at any time.

• Pet Infringement Notice Consideration Form

Remember that parks are for everyone, and follow the guidelines below:

• Clean up after your pet.
• Dog owners should still carry a leash at all times.
• Ensure your dog remains in sight and can be controlled by the sound of your voice.
• Ensure your dog does not threaten other people or animals (owner’s are subject to liability from issues that may arise).

Which parks allow me to walk my pet?

• Pets in Parks Maps
• Playgrounds and Pets - Off Lead

Finding my Lost Pet

• Call and visit your local animal pounds, shelters and vet clinics regularly. Leave a description of your pet, where they were lost, and your contact details.
• Ask neighbours if they have seen your pet.
• Put notices up in local shop windows, include a photo (ask for permission first). 

Darebin Lost Animals Facebook
We encourage you to look through our Facebook Darebin Lost Animals page, and see if you can find your lost pet or help other pet owners track down their lost pets.
Facebook Darebin Lost Animals

Lost Dogs Home
If you have lost your pet you can contact the Lost Dogs Home who provide animal collection and impound services for the Darebin municipality.

Lost Dogs Home
Ph: 9329 2755
Website: Lost Dogs Home

Wandering Dogs and Cats
If you can't find the owner of a lost animal, please contact Council as wandering dogs can be a danger to themselves and other people.

Customer Service
Ph: 8470 8888

The specifications for the provision of animal collection and impound services can be viewed at Contract for provision of animal collection.

Desexing your pet can be a great choice if you are unlikely to want to breed from your pet.

Why should I desex my pet?

• Desexed dogs and cats can be better behaved and are less likely to roam.
• Desexed cats are less likely to yowl at night or spray strong smelling urine.
• Desexing your pets can also be a health benefit, as it can prevent them from getting certain types of cancer.
• You'll also be helping to avoid contributing to the problem of pet overpopulation in Victoria.
• Council also provides a discount registration and permit rate for pets that are desexed. The savings keep be substantial as registration is required annually. 

Dogs and cats can be safely desexed from three months of age. Talk to your vet about the best age to desex your pet.

Lost Animal Registration Tags
If you have lost your pet's registration a $6.00 replacement fees applies.

1. Complete the Change of Details or Replacement of Tag Form
2. Return the Form with payment by post or in-person at any Darebin Customer Service Centre.

Post Payments (money order or cheque) to:
Animal Management Unit
Darebin City Council
PO Box 91
Preston VIC 3072

Change of Details
Have you recently moved or do your contact details for your pet registration/permit need to be changed?

1. Complete the Change of Details or Replacement of Tag Form
2. Return the Form by post, email or in-person at any Darebin Customer Service Centre.

Post:
Animal Management Unit
Darebin City Council
PO Box 91
Preston VIC 3072
Email: mailbox@darebin.vic.gov.au

Deceased Pets
Please let us know if your animal has passed away so we can remove the details from our animal registry.

1. Send us the confirmation in writing advising of your name, contact details, and your pet's details. 
2. Submit via post or email.

Post:
Animal Management Unit
Darebin City Council
PO Box 91
Preston VIC 3072
Email: mailbox@darebin.vic.gov.au

There is no doubt that dogs and cats make great pets, besides giving you unconditional love the health benefits for you have been proven in many studies. Owning a pet can also be great for teaching children responsibility, and helps develop their social and nurturing skills.

Owners are responsible for complying with the law, which includes registering and microchipping dogs and cats over 3 months old.

Legally you are liable if your dog is not securely confined to your property, therefore your yard must have a closed gate and an escape proof fence.Visitors must have safe access to your front door, without being stopped by your dog. Cat owners are not allowed to let their cat trespass on other peoples property.

If you mistreat or fail to properly care for your pet you can be taken to court and face fines, time in jail or bans on owning an animal.

If the owner of the pet is under 18 years old, the parent or guardian is deemed the legal owner of the pet in the event of any penalties or prosecutions.

PETS FACT SHEET

Avoiding Dog Attacks

80% of hospitalised dog attack victims are bitten in private homes by their own dog, or that of a friend or neighbour. Therefore it is important to know how to approach a dog safely, and in particular, children need to be taught how to behave around dogs.

Children aged 0-4 years old are most at risk of a serious injury from a dog bite. Parents need to be aware of the importance of active supervision. There are a number of education programs available to teach children and parents about safety around dogs.


Further Information:

• Responsible Pet Ownership for Children
• Responsible Dog Ownership Course
• DIY Cat Enclosures Booklet

 

Pet Training

Train your dog and cat to ensure they are well behaved and to ease their boredom. Training your dog means being able to control your dog both at home and well in public. Training can be useful for dogs and cats to help them socialise with other people and animals.Training can help prevent and treat behaviorial problems in your pet. 

Darebin has a several Dog Associations you can turn to for training and advice, and your vet may be able to advise you about puppy preschool or kitten kinder classes.

Further Information

• Pet Clubs in Darebin
• Dogs Victoria

Domestic Animal Management Plan


In July 2013, Council adopted a new Domestic Animal Management Plan for Darebin’s Municipality. The new Plan aims to guide Council and the community towards the goal of responsible animal ownership and management. The plan aims to encourage and incentivise responsible pet ownership, which in turn lowers the number of unwanted or abandoned animals in the community.

As part of the plan we have setup a Facebook page to help reunite you with your lost pets.

• Domestic Animal Management Plan 
• Animal Management Strategy Provision of afterhours animal collections and pound services

Facebook Darebin Lost Animals

 

Our Initiatives

We are educating the community about responsible pet ownership and have a number of initiatives that are working to:

•  reduce the number of dog attacks
•  increase the proportion of pets registered and micro-chipped, and
•  reduce euthanasia rates

 Initiatives

• A lost and found Facebook page that is helping to reunite owners with their pets - Darebin Lost Animals.
• A new referral service has saved approximately 300 animals since last year .
• Reducing euthanasia rates by partnering with rescue groups so they can rehouse more animals and extending the holding period at our pound service provider.
• Educating the community about responsible pet ownership, including the benefits of desexing, registration and micro-chipping.
• The creation of a Rescue Officer position.
• Offering discounted micro-chipping and a registration amnesty.

Sadly, there will always be a high number of unwanted or abandoned animals in the community which means there will always be animals that can't be rehomed. Examples include feral cats that kill native animals, diseased animals or dangerous dogs that pose an unacceptable risk to people an their pets.

You can help reduce euthanasia rates by ensuring that your pet is desxed, vaccinated, and microchipped and registered.

You can also help by choosing to adopt a pet from a reputable animal shelter or rescue group.

Positive Outcomes

Euthanasia rates for cats have already been reduced by 40% as a result of our holistic approach and proactive initiatives that are detailed in our Domestic Animal Management Plan 

2014 -15  Animal Statistics.

2015-16 Animal Statistics.

 2016-17 Animal Statistics.

2017-18 Animal Statistics.

 

While this result is ahead of target, Officers are continuing to further reduce the toll by working in partnership with the community.

Can you foster a pet?

Last year more than 1500 pets were collected by Darebin’s rangers and only a small number were returned home. There are many animals in Darebin that are in need a loving home. If you’re unable to commit to full time pet ownership, consider becoming a foster carer. Darebin is home to a number of animal rescue groups that are in need of foster carers to look after abandoned and surrendered animals until permanent homes are found. If you’d like to find out more contact one of the rescue groups listed below.

Rescue Group	Website	Email
Bendigo Animal Welfare & Community Services	www.bawcs.org.au	admin@bawcs.org.au
Blue Cross Animal Society of Victoria	www.bluecrossanimals.org.au	bluecrossanimals26@bigpond.com
Cheltenham Cat Rescue	www.cheltenhamcatrescue.org.au	natasha@cheltenhamcatrescue.org.au
Forever Friends	www.foreverfriends.org.au	info@foreverfriends.org.au
German Shepherd Rescue Victoria Adoptions	www.gsrv.com.au	adoptions@gsrv.com.au
KPS Awesome Paws Rescue and Rehoming	www.petrescue.com.au/groups/10890	kpsawesomepawsrescueandrehomin@gmail.com
Lort Smith	www.lortsmith.com	kennels@lortsmith.com cattery@lortsmith.com
Marks Ark	www.petrescue.com.au/groups/10357	themarksark@gmail.com
Maneki Neko Cat Rescue	www.neko.org.au	samantha@neko.org.au
Noah's Bark	www.noahsbark.org.au	info@noahsbark.org.au
Paws of Love Animal Rescue	www.pawsofloveanimalrescue.org	pawsofloveanimalrescue@gmail.com