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                    Pet registration

                    Close up of dog's neck and chest displayhing pet registration disc
                    Owning a pet comes with many benefits, but also some legal responsibilities. Registering your pet with your local Council is one of them.

                    ​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​In accordance with the Domestic Animals Act 1994, every cat and dog over 3 months old must be registered with your local Council.

                    If you live in the City of Melbourne, make sure you register your pet with us. Remember, having your pet microchipped doesn't mean they're registered with us.

                    The pet registration period runs from 11 April to 10 April yearly. You must renew your pet's registration by 10 April each year.

                    There are many benefits to pet registration –​​​ visit Animal Welfare Victoria to learn more.

                    Register your pet for the first time

                    It's a legal requirement under the Domestic Animals Act 1994 for every dog and cat over three months of age to be registered. This should be done as soon as they reach 3 months of age or you get a new pet.

                    To register your pet for the first time, you must provide:

                    • Your pet's microchip number (15 digits)
                    • Proof of desexing (if applicable).
                    • Proof of concession entitlements (if applicable).
                    • Any other relevant documentation as required (if applicable).

                    Please note: We are unable to process your application without the relevant documentation. Pets remain unregistered until all required documentation and relevant payment is received.

                    If you live in the City of Melbourne, use the link directly below to register your pet with us.

                    Apply and pay to register your pet online.

                    Alternatively, you can download, complete and submit a pet registration application form below (City of Melbourne residents only):

                    If you are trying to renew an existing pet registration, please refer to 'Renew your existing pet registration'.

                    Renew your existing pet registration

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

                    We'll send you a renewal notice early March via post or email depending on your chosen preference.

                    If you've received your pet's renewal notice, you can pay online using the Animal Reference Number on your notice.

                    Please check the details on your notice are correct before renewing your pet's registration.

                    Did you know changing to an email renewal notice is not only good for the environment, but can also help keep your personal details safe? If you'd like to receive your renewal notice via email, please let us know via email at animal.management@melbourne.vic.gov.au.

                    Text message reminders and late payments​

                    If you've provided us with your mobile number, we'll send you a reminder text when it's time to renew your pet registration. This will also give you the opportunity to update your details.

                    Owners who do not renew the registration of their pet by the due date are liable for a $15 late payment fee for each animal, as well as infringement notices.

                    Registration and renewal fees 2023–24

                    Please note the below fees are full year registration fees. A 25% fee reduction applies on 11 August and a further 25% fee reduction applies on 11 December. Any applications made after 11 February each year will be for the following registration period (meaning the fee for the remainder of the current registration period is waived).

                    Dogs

                    ​Fee type​
                    ​Fee​Concession fee​Description
                    ​Reduced​$67
                    $33.50

                    Any one or combination of the following:

                    • desexed

                    • a puppy that is too young to be desexed, but is booked in for desexing when of suitable age

                    • over ten years old

                    • used for breeding by proprietor of Domestic Animal Business

                    • dog owner is a member of an applicable organisation

                    • ​obedience trained by an approved obedience training organisation

                    • kept for working stock.

                    Proof must be provided for all criteria.​

                    Full​
                    ​$201
                    $100.50

                    • Dog with none of the above.​
                    ​Other
                    ​$329
                    N/A
                    • Restricted breed dog
                    • Declared dangerous dog
                    • Declared menacing dog.

                    No concession applies.

                    Please note:
                    Restricted breed dogs, declared dangerous dogs and declared menacing dogs can’t be registered online. Please contact our Animal Management team via animal.management@melbourne.vic.gov.au for further information. 

                    You must declare if your dog is a restricted breed as defined by the Domestic Animals Act 1994​. Restricted breeds include:

                    • Pitbull terrier
                    • American pitbull terrier
                    • Fila brasileiro
                    • Dogo argentino
                    • Japanese tosa
                    • Perro de presa canario​.
                    ​Adopted from shelter or transfer from another council​First year free​​First year free

                    Any one of the following:

                    • Dogs purchased from an animal shelter or pound only (does not apply to breeders or rescues)
                    • Your dog is currently registered with another Victorian Council (a renewal notice will not be accepted as proof).

                    Proof must be provided for all criteria.

                    Registration fee will be waived for this registration period only.​

                    ​Exempt​
                    ​Free​Free
                    • ​Guide dogs used by visually impaired or owned by an approved organisation which trains guide dogs
                    • State or Commonwealth Government dogs.

                    Proof must be provided.​

                    ​Foster carer
                    ​$8
                    ​N/A
                    ​Enrolled as a foster carer with the City of Melbourne.
                    Late fee
                    $​15​​​​N/A
                    ​Applied to each animal after 10 May each year.

                    Cats​

                    Fee type
                    ​Fee
                    ​Concession fee​Description
                    ​Reduced​$41
                    ​$20.50

                    Any one or combination of the following:
                    • desexed

                    • a kitten that is too young to be desexed, but is booked in for desexing when of suitable age

                    • over 10 years old

                    • used for breeding by proprietor of Domestic Animal Business

                    • cat owner is a member of an applicable organisation.​

                    Proof must be provided for all criteria.

                    Full​$124
                    $62
                    Cat with none of the above.
                    ​Adopted from shelter or transfer from another council​
                    ​First year free
                    First year free​

                    Any one of the following:

                    • cats purchased from an animal shelter or pound only (does not apply to breeders or rescues)
                    • your cat is currently registered with another Victorian Council (a renewal notice will not be accepted as proof).

                    Proof must be provided for all criteria.

                    Registration fee will be waived for this registration period only.

                    ​Foster carer
                    $8​
                    N.A​
                    Enrolled as a foster carer with the City of Melbourne.​
                    Late fee
                    $​15​​N/A
                    ​Applied to each animal after 10 May each year.

                    Concession entitlements

                    The concession fee entitlement only applies to holders of:

                    • Pension Concession Card
                    • Department of Veteran Affairs Gold Card specifying TPI or War Widow.

                    Health care and concession cards are not accepted.

                    Foster pet registration​

                    Even if you only have them for a short time, you’ll still need to register your fostered pet if it is over 3 months of age. 

                    If you register as a foster carer with Council you can receive a reduced registration fee. You can contact us at animal.management@melbourne.vic.gov.au for further information.

                    Find out more about the Foster Carer Registration Scheme​.​


                    Registration tags

                    When you register your pet for the first time, we'll send you a lifetime plastic registration tag. 

                    Please attach this to their collar so we can reunite you both in the unfortunate event they become lost.

                    If you'd like to change collars, we recommend affixing the tag to a split ring. This way you can change collars when needed.

                    Metal registration discs

                    We also have metal registration tags available that can be engraved with your pet's name and your contact details. To receive your free metal registration tag, simply complete our responsible pet ownership quiz.​

                    Request a replacement tag

                    ​Our pet registration tags are for life, so you won't receive a new one each year.

                    If you've lost your registration tag or can no longer read the numbers clearly, you can request a replacement free of charge. You can contact us and we'll send you a replacement.​

                    Update your pet registration details

                    You can update your pet registration details by emailing us at animal.management@melbourne.vic.gov.au

                    Be sure to let us know if :

                    • you've moved address
                    • your contact details have changed
                    • your pet has recently been desexed
                    • you no longer own your pet
                    • your pet has sadly passed away.

                    Please include your pet's animal reference number or pet registration tag number when contacting us.

                    It is also important to keep your pet's microchip details up to date if your details change. Visit Pet Address if you have forgotten which microchip registration company your pet is listed with.

                    More information

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