Companion Animals Act
As a companion animal owner you have responsibilities towards the wider community as well as towards your pet. The Companion Animals Act 1998 sets out some of these responsibilities and gives Councils the power to assist and where necessary, enforce the law to ensure that all owners meet these responsibilities. The Act also requires all cats and dogs to be micro-chipped and registered for life.
You can use the links below to download a Lifetime Registration Form or forms to update or change addresses and owner details.
Form - Companion Animal Change of Address.pdf
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63.62 KB | 31/08/2016 | |
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Form - Companion Animal Change of Owner Details.pdf
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143.08 KB | 31/08/2016 | |
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Form - Companion Animal Lifetime Registration.pdf
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82.17 KB | 31/08/2016 |
Please click here to download the Companion Animals Act.
Fines
Owners can be fined if they fail to comply with the laws. See the current fine rates below.
| INFRINGEMENT | COST |
| Animal not microchipped | $165 |
| Animal not registered as required | $275 |
| Dog without collar and tags (See separate fines for dangerous, restricted or menacing dogs) | $165 |
| Dog not on lead in a public place | $220 |
| Dog in prohibited place | $330 |
| Failure to remove dog droppings | $275 |
| Dog harasses, chases or attacks a person or animal | $550 |
| Cat in prohibited places | $110 |
| Cat not wearing identification | $110 |
| Failure to notify change of address/change of owner | $165 |
| Failure to take seized animal to pound/shelter | $550 |
Fines between $275 and $880 apply if a cat or dog is the subject of complaints and the owner fails to provide a solution.