To have a pet go missing can be an extremely upsetting and stressful situation for the whole family. However, if your pet is registered and microchipped, there is a much higher chance of your four-legged friend being returned to you, if it ends up in an animal shelter or vet clinic.
Pet registrations in Bass Coast Shire Council are due on 10 April each year.
This is a friendly reminder to ensure that your dog and cat registration has now been paid and to advise that Council's Community Safety Officers will be undertaking doorknocks in the coming weeks.
Under Victorian law, dogs and cats three months and older must be microchipped and registered with Council. Pet registrations are the legal responsibility of all pet owners. Failing to register a pet, or to renew an existing registration, can result in a fine of over $300.
Registration is easy. To find out how or to download a pet registration form visit: www.basscoast.vic.gov.au/pets.
Please remember that Council will not register a new cat unless the cat is desexed or is exempt under the Domestic Animals Act 1994.
Cat owners are required to contain their pets to their property between sunset and sunrise, unless restrained and in the presence of their owner.
Dog owners who have registered their non desexed pet and then have it desexed within six months of the registration date, may be entitled to a partial refund. The refunded amount will be the difference between the undesexed fee and the desexed fee.
In order to receive the refund, proof that the animal has been desexed must be provided to Council within the six-month period.
Council is also offering free first year registration for animals who have been purchased from a recognised rehoming organisation. Proof will need to be provided showing that the animal has been purchased from a recognised rehoming organisation.
Free registration is offered for the first year of the animal's registration and after the first year, animal owners will be required to renew their animal's registration annually.
