Responsible pet ownership

All cats and dogs aged 12 weeks or older must be registered with the Shire. Existing animal registrations must be renewed with the Shire by 10 April each year. For more details on the registration and renewal process please visit our Pet Registration page.

Animal registration and renewal fees assist in funding the delivery of animal management services across the Shire, including:

• animal management staffing and after-hours services
• investigation of animal reports including unregistered animals, wandering cats and dogs, and barking dogs
• investigation and prosecution of owners involved in dog attacks
• declaration and management of all dangerous, menacing and restricted breed dogs
• lifetime registration tags for registered dogs and cats
• payment of the compulsory State Government levy for each registered dog and cat.

For more information on the benefits of pet registration please visit Animal Welfare Victoria.

Since May 2007 it has been mandatory for all cats and dogs to be microchipped prior to registration. You will require proof of microchipping when you register your pet.

You can have your pet microchipped at most veterinary clinics. At the appointment, your vet will be able to provide you with a microchipping certificate or veterinary record of microchipping which will have the microchip number listed. All microchip numbers are 15 digits long.

Unlike a collar or tag, a microchip cannot be lost and will help in the recovery of your pet from anywhere in Australia, 24 hours a day, 7 days week.

All cats must be desexed and microchipped prior to being registered with the Shire.

Under Clause 22 of Council's Community Amenity Local Law 2022, all dogs and cats must be desexed prior to being sold or given away, except where the animal is ten (10) years of age or older.

Exemptions may be available to animal businesses and members of approved organisations. For a current list of approved organisations, visit Animal Welfare Victoria.

Proof of desexing from a vet must be provided at the time of registration to receive a discounted registration fee.

Benefits of desexing your pet

• Male dogs are less likely to fight, wander and perform offensive sexual habits
• Female dogs are protected from breast cancer and uterus problems and will not attract male dogs
• Desexing will prevent unwanted pregnancies
• Cats live longer, healthier lives, are less likely to suffer from anti-social behaviour like fighting
• Cats are less likely to wander or run away
• Cats that are confined to the property are at less risk of being infected with Feline Immunodeficiency Virus (FIV).

The best time to desex your pet can vary between breeds. For the best advice, speak with your local vet.

To combat roaming animals and promote responsible pet ownership, cats and dogs must be securely confined to the owner's premises at all times. Owner's must ensure that the premises is adequately fenced to ensure their pet cannot escape.

Cats

The Mornington Peninsula Shire has a 24-hour cat curfew, meaning that cats must be confined to the owner's property at all times of the day and night. Animal Welfare Victoria provide information on why cats are safer indoors, and on cat enclosures on existing structures and freestanding structures.

If your cat is found at large or trespassing on a neighbour's property, Shire Officers may take enforcement action.

Dogs

Unless your dog is in a designated leash-free area, dogs must be on leash at all times in public places. Be mindful that there are also a number of dog prohibited areas in the Shire.

See our interactive map for a list of all the Shire's leash-free and dog prohibited areas.

If your dog is found at large or not securely confined to your premises, Shire Officers may take enforcement action.

If you wish to keep animals such as chickens, dogs, cats, horses or other animals on your property, the allowable number of animals is limited by the size of your property. The table below shows the maximum allowable number of animals that can be kept without a permit. To keep additional animals on your property, you will need to apply for an Excess Animal Permit.

These restrictions do not apply to properties where a planning permit has been granted for the keeping of animals.

For further information on keeping dogs, cats, horses, poultry, pigs, roosters, sheep, goats, and cattle see the Community Amenity Local Law 2022(PDF, 1MB).

Council's animal management officers investigate breaches of the Domestic Animals Act 1994 and animal-related offences under the Community Amenity Local Law 2022. If an officer determines than an offence has been committed, they may take enforcement action such as issuing notices to comply, infringements or prosecution in the Magistrates Court.

Some common offences officers may issue infringements for include:

• dogs off-leash in on-leash areas
• dogs present in prohibited areas
• failing to carry a bag and/or pick up after your dog
• failing to register your dog or cat
• barking dogs
• roaming cats

The value of animal-related infringements varies for each offence.

On 1 July each year, the state government's Department of Treasury and Finance increase the value of these infringements in line with CPI. For the most up-to-date information of infringement values, please visit the Department of Treasury and Finance's Indexation of Fees and Penalties page.

If you have received an animal-related infringement, information on your rights, responsibilities and payment options can be found at Infringements and Fines.

Visit Animal Welfare Victoria for more information on:

• choosing the best pet for you
• everything about cats
• everything about dogs