Pet ownership can be a very rewarding experience. There are responsibilities with pet ownership to ensure your pet is registered, cared for properly and is not a nuisance to other residents.
There are over 20,000 dogs and over 6,000 cats registered in Wyndham. We utilise funds from pet registrations to provide the Wyndham community and their pets with programs, events and infrastructure such as dog off lead areas, microchipping days, cat desexing programs, dog walking programs and the Pet & Animal Expo.
All dogs and cats must be registered with Wyndham City once they reach the age of 3 months old. You need to complete an animal registration form and send the form to Wyndham City. In line with Victorian State Government legislation all animals being registered for the first time with council must be microchipped before they can be registered.
Proof Required
You must provide proof of microchipping and desexing when registering your pet. Proof can be certificates of desexing/microchipping or a letter from your vet. Providing only a microchip number is not sufficient proof.
Microchipping
A microchip provides a permanent form of identification which can quickly reunite owners with lost or injured pets. The microchip is approximately the size of a grain of rice and is electronically imprinted with a unique number which can be picked up by an electronic scanner.
Vets, animal welfare organisations and other authorised people can microchip your pet. All cats and dogs must be microchipped and registered by 3 months of age. Pets already registered with Wyndham City do not have to be microchipped.
To update your animal’s microchip details contact Australasian Animal Registry or Pet Address or the Central Animal Records.
Registration Tag
When you register your animal, Wyndham City automatically issues you with a registration tag which must be worn by your animal when it is outside your property. If the tag is damaged a replacement tag can be obtained at no fee. If the tag is lost a fee is charged for a replacement tag.
Registration Renewals
When your dog or cat has been registered you will receive a registration renewal approximately 4 weeks prior to registration expiring. You must renew the registration and pay the fee by 10 April each year.
For new pet registrations the initial period up until 10 April is free.
Prior to the free registration period expiring, a renewal will be sent to you.
If you haven't received your renewal notice, contact Wyndham City on 9742 0777.
Discounted Dog Registration
In accordance with the Domestic Animals Act 1994 section 15(4), Councils are permitted to offer discounted dog registration fees. To be eligible for you must meet certain conditions.
The discounts are for Working Dog(s) and owners of dog(s) who are current financial members of Dogs Victoria.
The definition of a Working Dog is a Dog(s) kept for working stock. To be eligible for this discount you must produce valid documentation on letterhead by the proprietor of the business/stock or some proof that the dog is used daily for working stock or be a current financial member of Dogs Victoria. You must produce photocopies of current membership cards each year.
Dangerous Dogs
A dangerous dog is declared dangerous because it has attacked and bitten a person and caused serious injury. A dog is automatically deemed a dangerous dog if it is left to guard a non-residential premises or is a dog that has been trained to attack or bite a person or clothing attached to or worn by a person.
Dangerous dogs are required to be muzzled and on a leash while outside their home. Dangerous dogs must also wear a yellow and red striped collar at all times.
If you own a declared dangerous dog it is important to keep your dog securely confined to your property. If your dangerous dog is found wandering outside your home, it can be seized and impounded with penalties and consequences for you and your dog. You must contact us within 24 hours of impoundment if you wish to prove there were mitigating circumstances why your dog was roaming the streets.
You need to comply with the requirements for keeping a dangerous dog including:
- notification of where the dog lives
- the type of dog enclosure you keep your dog in
Where the owner of a dog is under the age of 18 years, the parent or guardian of that owner will be deemed the legal owner of the dog and subject to any penalties/prosecutions
Restricted Dog Breeds
In Victoria 'Restricted Breed' dogs are defined as those prohibited from being imported into Australia by the Commonwealth Customs (Prohibited Imports) Regulations 1956, including the:
- Dogo Argentino
- Japanese Tosa
- Fila Brasiliairo
- Perro de Presa Canario or (Presa Canerio)
- American Pit Bull Terrier (or Pit Bull Terrier)
The American Pit Bull Terrier and the Perro de Presa Canario are the only breeds currently known to exist in Australia. Restricted dog breeds have not attacked a person or animal or displayed signs of aggression, but have been deemed to be a higher risk to community safety than other breeds of dogs.
Restricted breed dogs are required to be muzzled and on a leash while outside their home.