Responsible pet ownership

Choosing a pet

The Save-a-dog organisation also has puppies, kittens and cats for adoption. It is an entirely non-profit organisation that exists to save dogs of good temperament from being euthanased when their time has expired at dog pounds and animal shelters. Animals are housed in a shelter, and in foster homes, where they are assessed while awaiting permanent placement.

The RSPCA (Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Victoria) has lots of information about choosing and caring for a pet; and links to adoption sites throughout Victoria.

Animals from either organisation are ready for adoption – healthy, vaccinated, desexed and microchipped.

As a responsible pet owner it is your responsibility to ensure your dog is not a nuisance to others when outside your property, as well as when at home. We suggest all dogs should be suitably socialised and trained in basic commands so you can safely exercise your dog in one of our many parks.

Visit either of these top organisations websites:

• RSPCA Victoria website (then clink on the Animal care link at the top and choose the pet care link to suit you) 
• Dogs Victoria website

Owning your dog will then be more enjoyable and relaxing.

Animal registration

All cats and dogs over the age of three months must be registered with Council as soon as they join your family.

Registration is due by 10 April each year – if you do not register your pet, a fine of over $200 is payable.

• Animal registration form (PDF, 143.0 kB)
• Animal registration renewal payments

All new animal registrations must come to Council in person via Customer Service and owners must show relevant documents, including microchipping record etc: phone 9278 4444.

There have been changes to the Domestic Animals Act 1994 which may affect you:

• From 11 April 2013, owners registering a dog or cat for the first time will not be entitled to the reduced fee for micro-chipping alone, but other reduced fees may be available, including if your animal is desexed.
• You can now only be defined as the owner of a dog or cat if you are over 18; younger pet lover's parents or guardians are regarded as the owner.
• If you require an exemption to desexing your pet, there is now an additional requirement that a veterinarian must personally examine an animal and state in writing why the health of the animal would be harmed if it was desexed.

Are registration and microchipping the same?

No, they are separate. Microchipping is implanting a device in your animal so that it can be identified. Registration is a Victorian Government requirement.

All new animal registrations must provide proof of desexing and micropchipping:

This can be done at one of our Council offices through customer service, or via post.

• Complete a new animal registration form (PDF, 143.0 KB)

What do I get for my registration dollar?

As mentioned above, animal registration is a Victorian Government requirement – visit the Department of Primary Industries website to find out more.

Lifetime tags for your pets

Along with microchipping, desexing and registering, Council is introducing lifetime animal registration tags for your pets.

While being environmentally friendly and designed to cut costs, this means residents will not receive another tag the following year when they renew their animals registration, however if you lose your animal's tag or require a replacement tag, these are available via Council's customer service teams.

This helps you be a responsible pet owner, is good for the long-term health of your pets and is better pet management overall.

That's one tag, per pet, for life.

Read more:

• Pet registration information (PDF, 131.2 KB)
  

Microchip your pet

Since May 2007, all new animals registered with Council must be microchipped before registration.

We encourage all cat and dog owners who initially registered their pets before 1 May 2007 to now microchip their pets too.

All cat and dog owners are advised to keep their details current with microchipping company they are registered with. This ensures that their animal will be returned to them if it has been found.

Early desexing

This procedure helps protect cats and dogs from serious diseases and prevents unwanted kittens and pups in our community. Talk to your vet.

Desexing voucher scheme

Council, in partnership with the Australian Veterinary Association, offers a desexing scheme for dogs and cats owned by pensioners.

Residents who hold any of the following concession are eligible to participate in the desexing voucher scheme:

• Pensioner Health Concession Card
• Health Care Card
• Low Income Health Care Card
• Commonwealth Seniors Health Card.

Desexing vouchers are available from Council in person. Proof of the above concession or benefit card are required.

Council offices are located at:

• 8 Inglesby Road, Camberwell
• 360 Burwood Road, Hawthorn
  Corner Cotham Road and Civic Drive, Kew

Clean up after your dog

Council recognises the problem of dog owners not taking responsibility for cleaning up after their dogs and has issued all registered dog owners with a lead attachment to carry bags to clean up after their dog when taking them for their daily walk.

Dog owners cleaning up after their animals will ensure the ongoing enjoyment of a clean environment for all residents.

Failure to do so may result in a fine.

Excess animal permit

Boroondara residents may only keep two dogs and/or two cats at their home.

Before you acquire another dog or cat you must apply, with the appropriate permit fee, to Council.

When assessing an application, Council will take into consideration factors such as property size, how many animals are already kept, previous history (such as barking dog complaints), and if there are objections from neighbours.

In some instances a Local Laws officer will conduct a property inspection.

• Complete an excess animal permit application (DOC, 87.5 kB)
  

Walking your dog responsibly – off-leash areas

A dog may be exercised off a chain, cord or leash (lead) in a designated reserve, if the owner:

• carries a lead to bring the dog under their control if the dog behaves in a manner which threatens any person or animal
• is able to promptly bring the dog under control by voice or hand command and then place the dog on a lead if necessary
• does not allow the dog to worry or threaten any person or animal.

If your dog is off-leash in a designated reserve, you must bring your dog under control using a lead if the dog is within 30 metres of an organised sporting event, an organised public meeting or a permanent barbecue or picnic area if it is being used by others.

Dogs are prohibited within the immediate perimeter of any playground at all times, and must be on a lead if within 10 metres of the perimeter of a playground in a designated reserve at all times.

Designated reserves for off-leash dogs