Register your pet or renew its registration
Key points
- All dogs and cats must be registered with Council as soon as they turn 3 months old, and must be microchipped before being registered.
- Cats also need to be desexed before being registered.
- You get a discount on your dog registration fee if your dog is desexed.
- Your pet registration must be renewed by 10 April each year. We'll send you a reminder notice before it's due.
- Your pet must wear the lifetime registration tag on its collar at all times.
- You may be fined if you don't register your pet or renew its registration, or if it’s found not wearing its registration tag.
About restricted breed dogs
For more information go to the Dangerous, menacing and restricted breed dogs page.
If you have a lot of pets
If you have more than 2 cats or 2 dogs, you need to apply for an excess animal permit (unless your land is more than 4000 square metres).
Guide and assistance dogs
Guide and assistance dogs must be registered but there is no cost.
About microchipping
- A microchip is a tiny computer chip about the size of a grain of rice. A vet injects it under your pet’s skin, between the shoulder blades. This is a simple procedure and there are no side effects.
- It stores information which, when scanned, shows who owns the animal.
- Microchipping your pet and keeping the details updated with Central Animal Records means your pet can be returned safely to you if it gets lost.
- More info on microchipping: Agriculture Victoria website
Applicable membership organisations
You get a discount on your registration if you are a member of any of the following organisations, your pet is registered with them and you can provide proof of membership:
Obedience training
Dogs who have completed obedience training that complies with the Domestic Animals Regulations 2015 are entitled to reduced registration.
Approved organisations
- Australian Association of Gentle Modern Dog Training Instructors
- Dogs Victoria formerly ‘Victorian Canine Association Inc’
- Australian Association of Professional Dog Trainers Inc
- Four Paws K9 Training
To get the discounted registration, you need to provide proof with your registration application that your dog has:
- done an assessment program with one of these organisations
- been issued with an obedience certificate recognised by the Australian National Kennel Council
Registration fees
- This table shows fees for new pet registrations as of 12 Janurary, 2021. All new registrations paid after this date will be due for renewal 10 April 2022.
- A Health Care Card does not qualify you for a pensioner concession.
|
Animal and classification |
Council pro rata registration fee |
Total cost |
Pensioner concession cost |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Dog (3 months of age or under, with written proof of age only) |
Free for the remainder of the registration period |
No cost |
No cost |
|
Cat (3 months of age or under, with written proof of age only) |
Free for the remainder of the registration period |
No cost |
No cost |
|
Dog (desexed) |
$43.05 |
$43.05 |
$23.60 |
|
Cat (desexed) |
$43.05 |
$43.05 | $23.60 |
|
Dog (not desexed) |
$132.25 | $132.25 | $67.65 |
|
Dog (over 10 years of age) |
$43.05 | $43.05 | $23.60 |
|
Cat (over 10 years of age) |
$43.05 |
$43.05 | $23.60 |
|
Dog (obedience trained) |
$43.05 | $43.05 | $23.60 |
|
Dog (approved organisation) |
$43.05 |
$43.05 | $23.60 |
|
Cat (approved organisation) |
$43.05 | $43.05 | $23.60 |
|
Dangerous dogs, menacing dogs and restricted breeds |
$260 |
$260 |
N/A |
| Transfer of registration from another council (dogs or cats) | No cost | No cost | No cost |
|
Guide or assistance dogs |
No cost |
No cost |
No cost |
What you need to provide with your application
- Proof of microchipping (microchip number and a copy of the microchipping certificate). If you can’t find your pet’s microchip details, contact Central Animal Records on 03 9706 3187 or info@car.com.au
- Desexing/sterilisation certificate. (This certificate is required to register a cat. You’ll also need to provide a copy of the certificate to get a reduced registration fee for a dog).
If you are claiming a reduced registration fee, you also need to provide the following (as applicable):
- Proof of age (if claiming free registration for first year for pet under 3 months old, or reduced fee for pet over 10 years of age)
- Proof of applicable membership organisation – including a copy of the membership certificate and membership number for both the animal owner and the animal
- Proof of obedience training from approved organisation
- Photo of pensioner concession card and card number
If you cannot supply proof, you can submit a Statutory Declaration witnessed by an authorised person.
Register your pet for the first time
Register and pay online
The easiest way to register and pay is by using our online form.
Apply online to register your pet for the first time
Other ways to register and pay
You can also download a form and post, email or drop it in to us.
Post
Please post the form with copies of any required documents to:
Cardinia Shire Council
PO BOX 7
Pakenham VIC 3810
Once we receive your application we’ll call you to arrange payment.
Please email the form and attach scans of any required documents to:
mail@cardinia.vic.gov.au
Once we receive the email we’ll call you to arrange payment.
In person
Please bring in the form and copies of any required documents to:
Council’s Customer Service Centre
20 Siding Avenue, Officer
In person payment options:
- EFTPOS
- Credit card
- Cheque/money order made payable to Cardinia Shire Council
- Cash
What happens next?
- We’ll post your pet's unique lifetime registration tag to you within 5 to 10 working days.
- Please attach the tag to your pet's collar and make sure it is worn at all times.
Renew your pet registration
- Pet registration must be renewed by 30 June 2020 (usually 10 April).
- You’ll get a renewal notice every year to remind you to renew your pet’s registration.
- Your pet’s registration tag is a lifetime tag, so you won’t be sent a new tag when you renew your pet's registration. If you need a replacement tag contact us at mail@cardinia.vic.gov.au or 1300 787 624.
Payment options
Payment options are listed on your renewal notice.
Cancel or change your pet registration details
Please complete the online form below if:
- your pet has passed away
- your residential or billing address has changed
- your contact details have changed or you would like to add a second contact
- your pet has been desexed (must provide desexing certificate)
- you require a new registration tag
- you have moved to another Council
- you no longer own the animal
Online form - update pet registration details
Alternatively, you can call us on 1300 787 624 to update the details over the phone.
Transfer your pet registration from another council
To transfer your pet’s registration from another Council in Victoria, please submit a pet registration form.
You will not be charged again if you attach proof of payment from your previous Victorian council for the current registration period (up to 30 June 2020, or 10 April other years).
Replace a lost or damaged lifetime registration pet tag
If you need a replacement tag please contact us at mail@cardinia.vic.gov.au or 1300 787 624.
Your pet is not allowed to wander off your property
It is your responsibility as the owner of a dog or cat to keep it on your property at all times.
For more information:
What pet registration fees help to pay for
Your fees help us provide many services including:
- off leash dog parks
- collecting and returning lost pets
- following up complaints about problem dogs and cats
- investigation of dog attacks
- cat trapping programs.