Annual pet registration renewals due

RESIDENTS of the City of Ballarat that own pets are being reminded to renew pet registrations.

A notice will be sent in the mail to the owners of more than 21,000 pets and renewals are due by Wednesday 10 April.

The Victorian Government’s Domestic Animals Act 1994 stipulates that all cats and dogs over three months old must be registered.

Renewing registration ensures that owners’ contact details are up to date so an animal can be returned if it is lost rather than impounded.

The fee goes towards the work of the city’s animal management officers which includes attending to nuisance complaints.

The fee also contributes to local education programs and the running of the Ballarat Animal Shelter.

Guide and assistance dogs

will be exempt from the fee providing they meet several requirements.

Ballarat mayor Des Hudson encouraged the community to ensure their pets are registered.

“Registration fees ensure the City of Ballarat staff can provide essential services to domestic animals in Ballarat such as welfare complaints and picking up stray cats and dogs,” he said.

The standard registration cost for a dog or cat is $43 annually or $21.50 for pensioners.

Restricted dog breeds determined by the Domestic Animals Act 1994 cost $249 to register and cats that are not desexed cost $167 to register.

The different types of registration can be found on the City of Ballarat e-service portal and registration payment can also be completed there.

Registration can also be done in person at the customer service centre, located at 25 Armstrong St South Ballarat Central.

Renewals can be paid via BPAY, eServices or in person via the options mentioned on the renewal notice.