Mornington Peninsula Shire is reminding all cat and dog owners to ensure their pet registration is renewed by Saturday 10 April 2021.
Pet ownership is a rewarding and beneficial experience for people of all ages. With the many benefits to owning a dog or cat come responsibilities, including the requirement to register your dog and cat with your council.
The Domestic Animals Act 1994 directs that all cats and dogs over the age of three months must be microchipped and registered with the Shire.
These are long standing responsibilities for pet owners – dog registration was introduced in 1970, followed by cat registration in 1994.
Mornington Peninsula Shire provides many different services to support pet owners, funded directly from pet registration fees, such as:
- Off-leash dog areas located around the Shire for residents to train, exercise and play with their dogs. To learn where the closest off-leash area is to you visit mornpen.vic.gov.au/leashfree.
- The Community Animal Shelter and Pound which cares for lost pets and finds new homes for unclaimed cats and dogs. If you are in a situation where your cat or dog is missing, visit mornpen.vic.gov.au/lostpets to see if a Community Safety Officer / Ranger has picked up your pet.
- Community Safety Officers / Rangers responding to dog attacks and nuisance complaints, as well as reducing the risk of wandering dogs throughout our townships.
- The State Government Levy contributes towards community education on responsible pet ownership.
Dogs and cats that are registered and microchipped also have a far greater chance of being reunited with their families quickly and safely if they get lost or go astray.
Cats must be de-sexed to be registered within the Mornington Peninsula Shire unless the cat and owner are a member of the Feline Control Council.
It costs $50 per year to register a de-sexed dog or cat. Discounts apply for pension card holders. The current fine for owning an unregistered dog or cat is $330 (this amount is subject to an annual increase by State Government and will change accordingly).
The Mornington Peninsula Shire is now offering free first year registration for eligible residents. To qualify pets must be:
- microchipped
- registered within eight weeks of taking ownership or moving into the municipality.
Supporting documentation must be provided with the application.
Animals adopted from the Community Animal Shelter will also be registered for free.
Once your registration has been processed, pet owners are issued with a lifetime identification disc to attach to the pet's collar.
