Door knocking campaign launches soon to help residents register their pets

Trained and licensed Regi-Check ambassadors, operating on behalf of Council, will be visiting selected households, from 10 October and throughout the month, reminding pet owners to register any new pets or re-register their pets. Regi-Check ambassadors will not ask residents for money or issue fines.   

They will be wearing hi-vis vests, will carry official identification and will inform residents of their purpose for visiting. Signage will also be placed in areas where the door knocking is being carried out.    

In Cardinia Shire all cats and dogs must be microchipped and registered with Council as soon as they are 3 months old.   

Animal registration is a critical component of responsible pet ownership and animal welfare. Having your pet registered with Council and ensuring they wear a registration tag with up-to-date contact details, allows us to easily and quickly reunite lost or roaming animals with their owners. Roaming pets pose a major threat to the wildlife in their local areas by disturbing natural habitats and potentially spreading diseases.   

Pet registrations must be renewed by 10 April each year. Registration and payment can be made online, over the phone or in person at Council’s Customer Service Centre.    

Upon conclusion of Regi-Check’s door knocking, all properties with animals identified will be followed up by Council’s Compliance Officers. 

Pet Registration FAQs

Is pet registration mandatory?
Yes, it is mandated by law under the Domestic Animals Act 1994, and failure to comply can result in substantial fines and even higher penalties if the animals are impounded.  
 

What’s the difference between microchipping and registration?
A microchip is a tiny computer chip containing an identification number that provides a permanent form of identification for your pet. Registration links a pet owners contact details to the microchip in Council’s database.
 

What happens if a pet is not registered?
If a pet is found wandering, without a registration tag or out of date microchip information they may be taken to the Lost Dogs Home and pet owners may incur a fine.

Can residents receive a discount on registration?
Discounts are available for where memberships are held with eligible organisations and obedience training organisations. For a list of included organisations, visit https://www.cardinia.vic.gov.au/petregistration​​​​​​​

Where do pet registration fees go?
Registration fees help support Council’s pet management services including, the maintenance of off leash dog parks, collecting and returning lost pets, following up complaints about problem dogs and cats, investigation of dog attacks and cat trapping programs.

Learn more at www.cardinia.vic.gov.au/petregistration