Animal Registrations

Every cat and dog over three months of age must be registered each year on the 10th of April with a Council.

As we have now passed the renewal date (10th April), Council would like to remind pet owners of the importance of renewing the registration of their pet, and also the benefit of their pet wearing their correct registration tag on their collar when away from their owner's property.

This means that if your pet goes missing and is picked up by the Ranger, your pet can be returned home quicker and with a reduced amount of stress.

Due to recent changes to the Domestic (Feral & Nuisance) Animals Act, pet owners are advised that any new animal registrations (animal not currently registered with the Strathbogie Shire Council) are required to microchip their animal prior to registering with the Council. This includes any animal that has moved to the Shire from another Municipality.

Microchipping your pet provides a permanent method of identifying your pet for the duration of its life.

Strathbogie Shire Council Compliance Officers have become alarmed at the number of people who are not contacting them immediately when finding a lost animal and holding animals for periods in excess of a week. This can cause distress to both the pets and their owners.

Manager, Compliance & Planning Services for Strathbogie Shire Council, Stacey Hesketh said, "It is essential that anyone finding a lost animal contact Strathbogie Shires Regulatory Services Department as soon as possible."

The Regulatory Services Department records and acts as the central coordination point within the Strathbogie Shire for all lost and found domestic animals as well as livestock. This is a statutory responsibility for all Councils and to meet that responsibility Strathbogie Shire maintains a twenty four hour seven day service.

For more information: Marli Kelly 0409 410 178 - 2 May 2008

For details/interview call the Editor on (03) 5798 1858