Registering Your Pet

Pet registration is a legal requirement under the Domestic Animals Act 1994 for every dog and cat over three months of age. Annual registration fees will apply.

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Links to Register Your Pet

Renew your Whitehorse pet registration

You must renew your pet's registration your pet's registration before 10 April each year.

Your pet registration details have changed

If your pet has passed away or has moved to a new home outside Whitehorse, you will need to use the Change Your Pet's Whitehorse Registration form to tell about these changes so we can update your pet's records. Don't forget to also update your pet's microchip records.

Registering a pet in Whitehorse for the first time

If you have adopted a new pet or you have moved to Whitehorse, you will need to register your pet in Whitehorse for the first time once it reaches three months of age. Free first-time registration is available for microchipped and desexed puppies and kittens under three months of age.

NOTE: You may receive a fine for allowing an unregistered pet to stay in your home.

Pet Registration Fees

Various pet registration fees apply depending on the circumstances for you and your pet. You will receive a discount on your registration fee if your cat or dog meets certain criteria, such as being de-sexed or over 10 years old.

Pets are required to wear their registration tags at all times when outside their property. Registration and microchipping helps Council and animal shelters identify your pet if it is lost and reunite you in the shortest possible time.

Required Pet Registration Supporting Documentation

At the time of registering your cat or dog in the City of Whitehorse, you must provide the following evidence:

  • Sterilisation / desexing certificate - or exemption letter from a vet (required for cats only)
  • Microchip certificate and microchip number (15 digits)

To be eligible for reduced registration fees, you will need to provide additional proof of entitlement:

  • Pensioner Concession Card NOTE: Health Care Cards on their own are not acceptable.
  • Membership of an approved organisation
  • Obedience papers from an  approved obedience training organisation
  • Guide dog documentation
  • Dog working for a department or agency of the State or Commonwealth
  • A Certificate of Current Registration when transferring form another council area (a Renewal Notice will not be accepted)
  • Domestic Animal Business registration as a breeding business

Your cat or dog will remain unregistered until the above evidence is provided. Ensure the evidence is on an official letterhead from your vet or animal organisation.

Information Collected for Pet Registration

Council keeps a record of your pet's details including:

  • Name
  • Gender
  • Whether it is de-sexed or not
  • Breed
  • Colour and markings
  • Microchip number
  • Date of birth.
  • Registration documentation.

Council will also keep details about you including your:

  • Name
  • Address
  • Contact information
  • Address where your pet is kept if different to your address.

All private information collected is kept in accordance with the Privacy and Data Protection Act (2014).

Foster Animal Registration

Domestic animal foster carers must also register all cats and dogs over the age of three months that they are looking after, even if the pet is only there for a short time.

Under the Domestic Animals Act 1994, foster carers can receive reduced registration fees if they choose to enrol in the Foster Carers Voluntary Enrolment Scheme.

Lifetime Pet Registration Tags

All registered pets in the City of Whitehorse are issued with a lifetime tag which which must always be worn by your pet when outside.

If your pet loses or damages its registration tag you can get a new one by completing the Change your Pet's Whitehorse Registration Details form and requesting a new tag.

A new tag means a new registration number for your pet.

Keeping your Pet Registration Information Up-to-date

Up-to-date information is vital when trying to reunite pets with their owners. You should update Council whenever you change your address, email or phone number or if you no longer own your pet.

If your pet has passed away, or if you and your pets have moved or left Whitehorse or your pets have been re-homed, complete the Change your Pet's Whitehorse Registration Details form and we will update your pet's records. Please remember to include your animal registration number. You will no longer receive a registration renewal letter for those pets.

You should also update your microchip registration company whenever you change phone numbers or address. Visit www.petaddress.com.au if you have forgotten or lost the information regarding which microchip registration company your pet is listed with.

Pet Registration Refunds

If your cat or dog is no longer living with you please contact Council so we can update your pet's records. You may be eligible for a pet registration refund if your dog or cat has passed away or you have moved away from the municipality with your pets. Requests for refunds must be submitted prior to 30 June in the same registration payment year. Please remember to include your animal registration number in the email.