If you live in Murrindindi Shire and own a cat or dog, or both, it’s time to renew your animals’ registrations.
Council Deputy Mayor Sandice McAulay said pet registrations are due by Tuesday, April 10.
“While they are a legal requirement for all pet owners, they also act a safety net for all of us pet owners,” Cr McAulay said.
“If one of my little fur-babies gets out and is picked up by a Council Ranger, the fact that they’re registered means I can be identified as their owner and they’ll be returned to me.
“Without that safety net, they’d end up at best in the Animal Aid adoption cages at Coldstream. So I see it as a small price to pay for peace of mind,” Cr McAulay said.
“I’d encourage any pet owners who haven’t yet registered their animals to do so before the 10 April deadline,” Cr McAulay said. “Anyone who hasn’t renewed their registration by June could end up with a fine.”
Cr McAulay said all cats or dogs over the age of three months must be registered with Council and all pets being registered for the first time, or moved from another municipality, must also be microchipped with the number provided to Council.
“Council provides discounts for all desexed cats and dogs, pets registered with approved associations, working dogs on rural properties, dogs with obedience training through an approved organisation, and also for animals over the age of 10.” Cr McAulay said. “Some of these discounts are quite substantial.”
Residents whose animals are currently registered on Council’s system should now have received their renewal notices.
Council offers a range of payment methods and any registration changes can also be made over the phone.
For those who wish to pay by BPAY, please note that the Biller Code sent out on the original notices was incorrect. All notices have since been re-issued with the correct code.
Council’s Local Laws team will start door-knocking after 10 April to follow up with any owners who haven’t renewed their registrations.
