Yarra Ranges Council is reminding residents to renew their pet registration and register new pets in April, to ensure they can be returned home if they become lost or escape.
All dogs and cats must be registered with council and microchipped by the age of three months. Cats being registered for the first time must be desexed unless eligible for an exemption.
Yarra Ranges Mayor Jim Child said now is the time to think about responsible pet ownership.
“Registering your pets is crucial, it ensures that we can help reunite you with your pet if they run away or go missing. If your pet isn’t microchipped or registered, it is very difficult to help them get back home,” Cr Child said.
“Registering can be done in a few steps online, and we’ve been contacting owners via Mail to remind them of renewals coming up.”
Mr Child said pet registration is one small part of responsible pet ownership.
“Your pet needs regular exercise, playtime and mental stimulation. They need to be given good shelter from heat and rain, access to food and water, regular immunisations, vet check-ups and, of course, plenty of love.
“During COVID-19, your pet may have missed an immunisation, and returning to offices and workplaces means your pet may be spending more time alone. If you’ve got a pet, make sure you take time regularly to prioritise their wellbeing.”
Yarra Ranges Council requires dogs to always be on a lead while exercising, unless inside a designated off-lead area. Owners are responsible for disposing of waste responsibly.
Mayor Child said keeping your dog on-lead is for the protection of other people and the wellbeing on your dog too.
“We know our pets well, but we don’t always know how they will react to other people, animals, or sudden noises when we’re out in the community.
“It’s always distressing to hear of incidents when animals or people are injured, and if we’re all doing our bit to be responsible owners, we can minimise these incidents as much as possible.”
