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All dogs and cats, three months of age and over, must be registered by 10 April each year. Failure to do so could result in an on the spot fine of $220. From 1 May 2007, all cat and dog owners are required to have their pets microchipped before being registered to comply with State Government legislation. This does not apply to pets that are already registered with Council.
Once your pet is registered, yearly renewal notices will be sent out. A plastic registration tag will be supplied and can be attached easily to your pet's collar. If your animal loses the registration tag, a replacement tag can be supplied at no charge.
How to register your new pet or register an existing pet for the first time
You can register your new pet or register an existing pet (if you've just moved to the City of Ballarat) for the first time by visiting our Customer Service team in the Phoenix Building, 25 Armstrong Street South, Ballarat. Alternatively, you can complete our Animal Registration Form 2008-2009 (PDF - 77KB) submit it with payment in person to Customer Service, Phoenix Building, 25 Armstrong Street South, Ballarat or by post to City of Ballarat, PO Box 655, Ballarat Vic 3353.
Please note that, by law, we are unable to register any new animal without microchip details.
How to renew your pet regisistration
You can renew your pet registration by completing and returning the yearly renewal notice that will be sent to you or by bringing your yearly renewal notice with payment to the Customer Service team in the Phoenix Building, 25 Armstrong Street South, Ballarat. Alternatively, payments may be made online using BPay, POSTBillpay or by using Council's eServices system.
Microchipping
Microchipping is inserting a small computer chip under a pet's skin, usually between their shoulder blades, that can be read by a scanner to retrieve the contact details of the pet's owner. Once implanted, a microchip is a permanent form of identification effective for the life of the animal. Microchipping can easily be done at a local vet clinic.
What are the benefits of microchipping?
If a lost or injured pet is found, the microchip will be scanned and the owner and pet reunited. Each year, tens of thousands of pets are euthanized at animal shelters across the state because their owners are unable to be identified and contacted. Unlike a tag and collar, a microchip cannot break or fall off, making it a permenant form of identification that is effective for the life of the pet. Microchipping can also be used to identify dangerous dogs within the community.
Animal Registration Fees
| Description for Dogs | Fee: | Description for Cats | Fee: |
|---|---|---|---|
| A desexed dog | $26.00 | A desexed cat | $22.00 |
| A dog over 10 years old | $26.00 | A cat over 10 years old | $22.00 |
| A dog kept for breeding at a registered domestic animal business | $26.00 | A cat kept for breeding at a registered domestic animal business | $22.00 |
| A dog registered with an approved association of which the owner is also a member | $26.00 | A cat registered with an approved association of which the owner is also a member | $22.00 |
| A dog kept for working stock (Primary Production) | $26.00 | A cat that is microchipped | $22.00 |
| A dog that is microchipped | $26.00 | A cat not included above | $66.00 |
| A dog not included above | $78.00 |
- a State Government Levy of $2.50/dog & $1.00/cat is included in the above fee. The levy is primarily used to fund Responsible Pet Ownership programs
- documentation must be presented to be eligible for the reduced registration fee
- holders of Pensioner Concession Cards are entitled to a 50% reduction on all fees
How many animals can you keep?
A person must not, without a permit from the Council, keep more than 2 dogs and/or 2 cats. This restriction does not apply to animals which are kept on farm land. For further information about Local laws regarding the keeping of animals refer 'Part 2 - Animals' of the Community Local Law No. 15 (PDF - 153KB) or complete our Animal Registration Council Compliance Guide.
For state legislation regarding the keeping of dogs and cats, refer to the Department of Primary Industries Domestic (Feral & Nuisance) Animals Act 1994.