Greater Shepparton City Council Manager Citizens Services, Laurienne Winbanks said “Keeping your pets registration current ensures you can be contacted should your animal find itself off your property. We can then make arrangements to organise its safe return. It’s also a great time to make sure we have your most up to date address and contact details.”
“In the last year, nearly 80% of the dogs and almost all of the cats who founds themselves at the shelter were not registered. To make matters worse, only 57% of dogs and 6% cats were claimed by their owners. Registration greatly improves the chances of these animals being returned to you, especially if you use the opportunity for renewal to check all your details are current.”
The registration fees also help cover the cost of Council services to respond to calls about wandering dogs or dog attacks, or nuisance issues such as barking dogs, control of dangerous breeds, monitoring pet shops and kennels, breeding businesses and the operation of our animal shelter”.
“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.”
“Every dog and cat over the age of three months must be registered. Not only is it the law, but it assists your animal as well,” said Ms. Winbanks.
Council would like to remind residents to register now as after 10 April, compliance checks will commence and owners with unregistered animals may receive infringements.
Ms Winbanks urges residents who may have let their animal registration lapse, to please come forward and pay for the current registration period.
The Council offers free registration for puppies and kittens less than six months of age.
New cat or dog registrations need to be done in person at the Council offices in Welsford Street, Shepparton. Renewals can be paid on the Council website or by using BPay, in person or by mail.
For information on registering a pet with Greater Shepparton City Council, click here.
