It is legally compulsory for all dogs and cats over the age of three months to be registered with Council.
All animal registration renewals must be paid to Council by 10 April each year. Failure to register an animal carries a penalty of over $200.
Should your dog or cat become lost, its tag – which must be worn at all times – will significantly increase the chance for you to be reunited.
Lost tags can be replaced free of charge. It is a good idea to record the tag number to assist with identification should you lose your pet.
As well as the usual collar-tags worn by pets, Council encourages all cat and dog owners who registered their pets before 1 May 2007 to microchip their pets.
Since 1 May 2007, all new animals registered with Council have been required to be microchipped before registration. Early desexing also helps protect cats and dogs from serious diseases and prevents unwanted kittens and pups in our community.
2013 update
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.
To find out more please view the Frequently Asked Questions.
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.
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.
Payment methods
Australia Post
Payments may be made at any post office by cash, cheque, credit card or EFTPOS on presentation of your renewal notice. Please ensure that cheques are made payable to 'City of Boroondara' and crossed 'Not negotiable'.
To pay by Australia Post's POSTbillpay service, phone 13 18 16 or pay online.
Bpay
Animal renewal payments can be made through Bpay by contacting your participating bank's customer service department. You will be required to quote your Biller Code (#141705) and Reference number.
Payments can be made from your savings or cheque account. (Council does not accept credit card payments via Bpay.)
More information is available at www.Bpay.com.au
Please Note: Bpay should not be used for new animal registration payments. All new animal registration must be done in person with Customer Service. Phone 9278 4444 for more information.
In person
Council cashiers are available at:
- Camberwell Municipal Offices
8 Inglesby Road, Camberwell
8:30am–5pm Mon–Fri.
- Hawthorn Library
584 Glenferrie Road, Hawthorn
10am–5pm Mon–Fri.
No cash accepted at this location.
- Kew Library
Cnr. Cotham Road and Civic Drive, Kew
10am–3:30pm Mon–Fri.
10am–5pm Sat. & 2pm–5pm Sun.
Council would prefer cash payments that are made over the counter at any Australia Post branch or agency.
Payments can be made by EFTPOS, credit card, cash (except Hawthorn Library), cheque or money order.
Credit card surcharge will apply.