Domestic Animal Management Plan

Impounded dogs (July1 2021to May 2022):

• 80% of all dogs were reunited with their owners
  • 6% of those reunited with owners were reunited without going to the pound as they were registered and wearing their registration tag
• 13% of all dogs were adopted or placed with animal refuge groups as owners could not be identified or did not come forward
• 7% of dogs needed to be euthanised oprimarily due to being involved in attacks on either people or other animls.

All Victorian Councils are required under the Domestic Animals Act 1994 to prepare and implement a four (4) year Domestic Animal Management Plan (DAMP) to guide decision making in relation to animal management for cats and dogs.

The purpose and the aim of the DAMP is to provide a framework for animal management services delivered by Council, pertaining to cats and dogs within our community

All dogs and cats over the age of three months must be microchipped and registered with council. 

Registration fees for desexed dogs and cats and those over 10 years old are and heavily discounted.  A puppy under 6 months of age registered for the fisrt time receives an even greater discount for the first year of registration.

Registration is required to be renewed on or before the same date throughout Victoria which is 10 April.  New animal registrations can be paid at any time throughout the year.

Council provides a wide variety of domestic animal control services which are supported by dog and cat registrations.  These services include:

• Investiagtion of dog attacks
• Investigation of dog and cat complaints
• Feral dog and cat control
• Control of wandering animals
• Impounding services
• Reuniting services for lost and impounded animals
• Rehoming services for unclaimed pets 
• Provision of off leash facilities
• Audit and ensure compliance of domestic animal businesses and investigation into illegal breeding activities
• Animal welfare during emergency events