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Pets

There are many benefits to owning a pet, including companionship and positive health impacts. The City of Melbourne encourages responsible pet ownership. Find out what your obligations and responsibilities are as a pet owner. 

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Close up of dog’s neck and chest displaying pet registration disc.

Pet registration

Owning a pet comes with many benefits, but also some legal responsibilities. Registering your pet with your local Council is one of them. 

Responsible pet ownership

Find out your responsibilities as a pet owner.

Animal fines and prosecution

Fines may be issued if an offence has been committed.

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Walking your dog

Dogs must be leashed in all public areas, unless in designated areas.

Lost and found animals

Learn more about lost and injured animals in the municipality.

Before you buy a pet

Before you buy a pet, have you considered the following?

Domestic animal businesses

Register your domestic animal business.

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Register my pet

Register your pet or renew a pet registration. You must register or renew your pet's registration each year. 

Register
Close up of dog’s neck and chest displaying pet registration disc.

Report an animal issue

You can report animal-related issues like barking dogs, animal waste, attacks or aggressive behaviour. We'll also investigate reports of lost/stray animals or animal welfare concerns.
 

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Person petting a dog in an opened animal cage located in the back of a van.

Animal management services

City of Melbourne pound

Cats, dogs and livestock are taken to the City of Melbourne pound provided by The Lost Dogs’ Home at 2 Gracie Street, North Melbourne.

If you have a lost or found pet, find out more.

Animal management officers

Animal management officers respond to requests to investigate dog attacks, dangerous and restricted breed dogs and reports of barking dogs. They also register and oversee domestic animal businesses such as pet shops, animal shelters and boarding facilities in the municipality.

Animal management officers, park rangers and local laws officers patrol public areas and parks to ensure compliance with laws such as leashing, picking up after dogs and animal registration. 

Guidance on keeping cats and dogs

Dogs, Cats, Neighbours and YouOpens in new tab is a practical consumer guide to the law about owning a dog or cat. The guide is produced by Victoria Legal Aid and can be viewed or downloaded online. To order a copy of the brochure, contact us online or call 03 9658 9658.

The Victorian Government has introduced a code of practice for the private keeping of dogsOpens in new tab and catsOpens in new tab. The codes have been developed to provide guidance for pet owners to safeguard the welfare of both cats and dogs, and include information on nutrition, health, housing, transport, training, socialisation and exercise.

Community and residents

our acknowledgement

  • Torres Strait Islander Flag
  • Aboriginal People Flag

The City of Melbourne respectfully acknowledges the Traditional Owners of the land we govern, the Wurundjeri Woi-wurrung and Bunurong / Boon Wurrung peoples of the Kulin and pays respect to their Elders past and present. 

 

We acknowledge and honour the unbroken spiritual, cultural and political connection they have maintained to this unique place for more than 2000 generations.

We accept the invitation in the Uluru Statement from the Heart and are committed to walking together to build a better future.