Horsham Rural City Council is reminding pet owners that registering cats and dogs is an essential part of responsible pet ownership. Registration helps reunite lost animals with their owners and supports important animal welfare services in our community.
While microchipping helps identify a lost pet, registration provides Council with up-to-date owner details and funds services like caring for lost animals, maintaining the animal pound, managing dog parks, and other animal management programs.
Currently, 1,636 cats and 3,636 dogs are registered across the municipality. Council's Community Safety Officers work to return lost animals to their owners, but two to three animals each week are found without registration or microchips. When this happens, Council often relies on social media and the community to locate the owners.
Mayor Cr Brian Klowss said registering pets is simple but makes a big difference. "Losing a pet can be heartbreaking," Cr Klowss said. "If your pet is registered, we can quickly identify the owner and return them home faster. It also supports the vital work of animal welfare and management in our community."
Council also reminds owners to update their animal records whenever there's a change. This includes moving to a new address, your pet leaving the municipality, or your pet passing away. Keeping records up to date helps Council reunite lost pets quickly and can be done easily online or by contacting Council.
Discounted registration fees are available for desexed pets, eligible pension card holders, pets aged over 10 years, and working dogs. Proof of desexing from a veterinarian is required at the time of registration or when updating records.
"All dogs and cats must be registered and registration fees paid by 10 April each year," Cr Klowss said. "Renewal notices have now been sent to current registered animal owners."
All registrations are required under the Domestic Animals Act 1994, and all dogs and cats over three months of age must be microchipped. Horsham Rural City Council's Community Safety Unit officers enforce these requirements across the municipality.
