Greater Shepparton City Council Manager Environment, Sharon Terry, said “Keeping your pet’s registration current ensures you can be contacted if your animal wanders off or escapes your property. It’s also a great time to make sure we have your most up to date address and contact details.”
“During 2019-2020, only 28 per cent of the dogs and only three per cent of the cats admitted to the shelter were registered. Of these, only 64 per cent of dogs and 5 per cent of cats were claimed by their owners.”
“Registration greatly improves the chances of these animals being reunited with you, especially if you use the opportunity for renewal to check all your details are current,” said Ms Terry.
The registration fees help cover the cost of Council Animal Management services. The Animal Rangers respond to emergencies such as dog attacks, wandering dogs, livestock on roads, injured or sick animals, animal cruelty or welfare issues, excess animal numbers, puppy farms, collect deceased pets off roadsides, promote responsible pet ownership, mediate nuisance animal issues, monitor domestic animal businesses and provide emergency animal welfare services during bushfires and floods.
The Animal Management team also operates the Shepparton Animal Shelter. During 2019-2020 there were 716 dogs, 1,269 cats and 36 livestock admitted to the Shelter. The Shelter cares for lost and unwanted animals, reunites lost animals with their owners, provides refuge to animals when their owners cannot care for them anymore and runs an adoption program. The shelter also provides work experience for those completing tertiary education in animal care.
Registration fees assist with the cost of prosecutions in court for animal cruelty or dog attacks. In 2019-2020 there were six successful prosecutions comprising 60 charges in total for various serious offences. Of these, 34 charges were from the one prosecution.
“Every dog and cat over the age of three months must be registered. Not only is it the law, but it protects your pet as well,” said Ms Terry. “For those registering a pet for the first time, to receive the reduced fee your animal must be de-sexed and micro-chipped, over 10 years of age or meet specific criteria including being a working dog.”
Council would like to remind residents to register now through various options including Bpay, Post Billpay, by mail or in person at the Council Office. New Animal Registration Applications can be completed in person at the Council Office or via Councils website. The Council offers free registration for puppies and kittens less than six months of age.
Ms Terry urges residents who may have let their animal registration lapse, to please come forward and pay for the current registration period which is due on 10 April.
For information on registering your dog or cat with Greater Shepparton City Council, click here.
