Register a dog or cat

All cats and dogs over 3 months of age must be microchipped and registered with Council.

If your pet is not microchipped, registration will not be accepted. To microchip your pet, contact your local vet.

How to apply

Apply online

Step 1.Keeping multiple pets?

Our Local Law states that residents can have:

  • up to 2 dogs and 2 cats in residential areas, farming zones, and rural living zones
  • up to 5 dogs and 2 cats in farming zones greater than 0.5ha

If you plan to register more dogs or cats than the permitted limit, you must apply for an excess animal permit before proceeding with the registration process.

Step 2.Prepare your information

During the application process we will request:

  • Animal details including age and microchip number
  • Digital copies of evidence if you are applying for a reduced fee e.g desexed or working dog
  • Digital copies of your Centrelink Pensioner Card or DVA Gold Card if applying for a concession

Step 3.Have your credit card ready

Please note we only accept Visa or MasterCard.

Step 4.Submit the online form

Register your dog or cat

Fees

Animal registation  2024/25 fees
Dog or cat (full price) $138
Desexed (certificate or letter from a vet required)* $46
Over 10 years of age (statutory declaration, letter from a vet, Council registration or documentation from a registered breeder required)* $46
Part of a domestic animal business or registered with an applicable organisation (Animal Welfare Victoria) (copy of credentials required)* $46
Obedience trained with an approved training organisation (Animal Welfare Victoria) (copy of credentials required)* $46
Working dog - a dog that herds, droves, protects, tends or works stock on land used solely or primarily for primary production (statutory declaration, documentation to show the dog owner is a primary producer or users the dog for employment purposes, or a tax invoice for the purchase stock required)* $23
Restricted dog breed, dangerous dog or menacing mog. Owners of these animals are not entitled to reduced fees. $260

*Other types of proof may be considered at the discretion of Council’s Authorised Officers

Concessions

If you hold an eligible concession card, you will receive a 50% discount on the calculated animal registration amount (excluding working dogs, restricted breed, dangerous or menacing dogs). You must hold one of the following cards:

  • Pensioner Concession Card
  • Veterans' Affairs Gold Card (given for TPI, War Widow, EDA or POW).

Fee exemptions

You may be entitled to a fee exemption if your dog is:

  • a Guide Dog
  • a State Dog
  • a Commonwealth Dog
  • an assistance dog

You still need to register your dog, but there will be no fee charged. To qualify for the exemption, you must provide supporting documentation. 

What happens next?

If the correct supporting documentation is not provided, registration will be declined and the applicant will be contacted within 7 working days of submission.

Successful applicants will receive a registration certificate and a life time tag to their nominated mailing address.

Would you prefer renewal notices by email?

After you receive your animal registration certificate you can signup to receive your animal renewal notices via email instead of the post.

  • Once your signup has been confirmed, future animal renewal notices will be emailed to your nominated email address.
  • Depending on the timing, you may receive one more notice by mail before your request for electronic delivery is processed.
  • One (1) email address can be nominated per animal renewal account.  The same email address can be used for multiple account numbers. 

Your responsibilities

  • Dogs and cats must wear the Council-provided tags at all times.
  • Registration fees are due in April each year.
  • Dogs and cats must remain on your property at all times, either inside a gate or contained.
  • When outside your property, dogs and cats must be on a lead.
  • Ensure your dog or cat behaves well in public.  You must prevent them from chasing or attacking people or other animals by keeping them under control at all times.

Read more about pet ownership.

Off leash dog park

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Contact us

Phone

03 5036 2333

 

Email

locallaws@swanhill.vic.gov.au

 

Location

45 Splatt Street
Swan Hill
VIC 3585
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