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Owning a pet

It is important that you know your legal responsibilities and understand what you need to do to meet them. By law you are considered the owner of a dog or cat even if you are only caring for the animal for a short period of time.

The owner as described in the Domestic Animals Act 1994 "in respect of a dog or cat, includes a person who keeps or harbours the animal or has the animal in his or her care for the time being whether the animal is at large or in confinement".

This includes unowned or feral cats, if you are feeding or housing them you are considered by law to be the owner. Therefore you are required by law to microchip and register the animal with Council from 3 months of age. 

Other things to consider before becoming a pet owner:

• Do you have time to care for the pets needs? eg: daily exercise, grooming needs, obedience training and play
• Do you live in a suitable location and type of housing for a pet?
• Do you have adequate space for the pet you are considering?
• What hours do you work, and will the pet have any company during the day?
• If renting accommodation, are you permitted to own a pet?
• Are your fences secure to contain a pet?

 Visit Keeping Multiple Animals to understand Council's local laws in regards to owning pets.

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Pet registration is a legal requirement under the Domestic Animals Act 1994. All cats and dogs over the age of three months must be microchipped and registered with us. The registration year is from 11 April to 10 April the following year.

Registering your dog or cat greatly improves their chances of being returned to you if they become lost. You must be over 18 to register an animal.

Your pet registration includes:

Why do I have to renew my pet’s registration?

According to section 10(2) of the Domestic Animals Act 1994:

the owner of a dog or cat which is registered must apply for renewal of the registration of that dog or cat with the Council of the municipal district in which the dog or cat is kept, before the expiration of the current registration.

Pet registrations are a yearly requirement as each registration is only valid from 11 April to 10 April the following year.

Renewal notices are emailed or posted every year in March, it is the responsibility of the pet owner to ensure they renew and update their registration every year or penalties may apply.

How can I update my pet’s registration details?

If you have moved to a new house within the municipality it is very important to notify us. Animal management officers require all information on an animal’s registration to be up to date in order to return an animal home if your animal is missing.

Pet owners should notify us if their pet no longer lives in Hobsons Bay, has sadly passed away or has new ownership details.

You can update using the button below:

Update registration

If you have lost your pet

• Call the Lost Dogs' Home on 0311223344 
• Visit the Lost Dogs’ website to view lost dogs and lost cats.

You can also:

• search all parts of your property and the local area
• post on the various local lost animal Facebook groups
• call neighbouring councils
• call your local vets

If your pet is wearing a registration tag, it will make it easier to be returned to you.

If our Animal Management team are unable to contact an animal's owner, the dog or cat will be taken to the Lost Dogs' Home at 2 Gracie Street, North Melbourne. If the dog is not registered with Council, owners will be required to pay to register the dog or cat prior to reclaiming it from the Lost Dogs' Home. 

Hobsons Bay residents can borrow cat cages from Council in order to safely and responsibly capture stray and nuisance cats.

Residents should note that for occupational health and safety reasons, Animal Management Officers cannot handle cats unless they are confined within a secure Council cage.