Register your dogs and cats

IF YOU haven’t renewed your dog or cat’s registration by the time you read this article, you are already at risk of a fine.

RSPCA Victoria has reminded Victorians to be responsible pet owners and register their pets with their local council.

Every dog and cat aged three months or more must be registered and all existing Victorian pet registrations must be renewed by yesterday (Wednesday, April 10).

There are many benefits of pet registration. Most importantly, up-to-date registration can mean the difference between a beloved lost pet being reunited with its owner or being rehomed through council or local animal welfare groups.

Animal registration forms part of Victorian legislation and is a legal requirement of the Domestic Animals Act in all 79 council areas across the state.

RPSCA chief executive officer Dr Liz Walker said pet registration was imperative to animal welfare and responsible pet ownership.

“Up-to-date pet registration can be a free ticket home for lost pets, so it’s important that people understand caring for their pets means registering them with their local council.

“Pet registration and microchipping each function separately however both are required for the safety of our pets and communities.

RSPCA Victoria cares for more than 20,000 animals annually – 87 per cent of them are dogs and cats.

However, in the 17/18 financial year, only 6.4 per cent of cats and 57.6 per cent of dogs were reclaimed. These numbers would be increased if all pets were registered.

In addition to keeping pets safer, at a community level there are multiple reasons why it is important to register pets. Funds from pet registrations go toward council initiatives that directly support the wellbeing and safety of pets in the community.