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Animal Registrations

Dogs and cats must be microchipped and registered with Council by three months of age. Registrations are renewable every year on 10 April. You will be issued with a tag to place on your pet (in addition to the microchip) to assist in its safe return should it go missing. If you lose your pet’s tag, please contact Council on 9262 6333 to arrange for a replacement tag.

Compulsory Desexing

As of 10 April 2011, dogs and cats being registered for the first time must also be desexed. Animals registered with Whitehorse City Council or any other council prior to this date are exempt from the compulsory desexing requirement.

There are several reasons why desexing your pet is a responsible choice for pet owners:

  • Each year animal care organisations euthanise thousands of unwanted pets. Desexing your pet will help to reduce the number of unwanted puppies and kittens.
  • Desexing greatly reduces the incidence of fighting in cats and associated infections and injuries such as feline AIDS.
  • Desexed dogs and cats are less likely to roam and are therefore less likely to become road victims.
  • Desexed male dogs are less aggressive towards people and other dogs. 

Exemptions to mandatory desexing include:

  • a dog or cat that is owned by a person or body that conducts a domestic animal business under which dogs or cats are bred and the dog or cat is used for breeding purposes in connection with that business
  • a dog or cat that is owned by a person who is a current member of an applicable organisation and the animal is registered with that organisation
  • a dangerous dog that is kept as a guard dog for non-residential premises
  • a dangerous dog that has undergone protection training in accordance with any relevant Code of Practice made under section 59
  • a dog or cat that is the subject of written veterinary advice that the health of the dog or cat is liable to be significantly prejudiced if it is desexed
  • a dog or cat that is of a class of dog or cat that is exempt under a resolution made under section 10A from a requirement to be desexed.

For more information, please refer to pdf icon  Order No 3 Section 26_2.pdf (13.34kB).

Registration of Pups and Kittens

Council offers free first time pet registration to microchipped and desexed puppies and kittens aged under three months, unless exempt. Registration forms are available from www.whitehorse.vic.gov.au, pet shops and veterinary clinics in the municipality as well as the RSPCA and Council’s service centres at Nunawading, Box Hill and Forest Hill.

Payment

First time registrations must be paid for at one of Council's Customer Service Centres: Nunawading Civic Centre, Forest Hill Chase or the Box Hill Town Hall.

To renew your registration, complete and return the Animal Registration Form to Council with your payment (if applicable).
       
Registration renewals can be paid online or at any Australia Post outlet (as long as the original renewal form is present and has no changes) or by any of the following payment methods:

  • In person
  • Post/mail
  • Internet
  • Phone

Fees are subject to change several times a year. Pro rata rates apply. To obtain current fees, please call 9262 6333 and ask to speak to Council's Community Laws Department 9262 6333.

If claiming the reduced rate for a desexed and microchipped animal, proof must be provided. Alternatively, a statutory declaration can be completed. 

For more information about registrations, fees or getting your pet microchipped, call 9262 6333 and ask to speak to Council's Community Laws Department. Alternatively, download the pdf icon  Responsible Pet Ownership 2012-2013 (941.11kB)brochure.

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