Why should I register my dog? All dogs in Western Australia must be micro-chipped and registered from three months of age and older.This is a Western Australian Government requirement.The main reason for registering your dog though is so our Rangers have your details and can return your pet if they become lost.Owners who don't register their pets can be fined $200.
What does my dog's registration pay for? Dog registration fees fund and improve facilities such as the pound and dog off-leash areas.They also contribute to handling of animal-related requests, including returning lost pets and animal related investigations.
I want to sterilise my dog later in the year, can I pay the discounted rate now? You will need to register your dog as unsterilised now and pay the unsterilised rate. Once you have sterilised your dog you must notify us either online through our General Animal Maintenance Form, or by post, email, or in person so that your pets records can be updated. You must provide a copy of the sterilisation certificate. The registration fee will be discounted to the sterilised rate and you will be refunded as prescribed under Dog Regulations 2013.
Dogs registered for 1 year:
- If an unsterilised dog is registered for a period of one year and is sterilised within that period, the owner is entitled to a refund for that registration period of an amount equal to the difference between the registration fee paid for that year and the registration fee which would have been payable for a sterilised dog.
Dogs registered for life or 3 years receive the following:
- Sterilised within first year of registration the owner is entitled to a refund for that registration period of an amount equal to the difference between the registration fee paid for those 3 years/Lifetime and the 3 year/Lifetime registration fee that would have been payable for a sterilised dog.
- Sterilised within second year of registration the owner is entitled to a refund for that registration period of an amount equal to the difference between two thirds of the registration fee paid for those 3 years/Lifetime and the 3 year/Lifetime registration fee that would have been payable for a sterilised dog.
- Sterilised within third year of registration the owner is entitled to a refund for that registration period of an amount equal to the difference between one-third of the registration fee paid for those 3 years/Lifetime and the 3 year/Lifetime registration fee that would have been payable for a sterilised dog.
- No refunds available after the third year.
When do I have to renew my dog’s registration? Your dog’s registration expires on 31 October, unless you renew your pet for life.You will receive a renewal notice from us in September if your dog’s registration is due for renewal.
What confirmation will I get that my registration/renewal has been processed? You will receive a registration certificate and tag by post to confirm your dog’s registration/renewal has been processed.
How can I find my dog’s microchip number? You can find your dog’s microchip number from vet records you already have, by contacting your vet, or visiting a local vet.
I have just moved to the City of Melville, do I need to register my dog? Dogs need to be registered to the address they are ordinarily kept at.If your dog is currently registered with another council in WA then you can transfer this registration free of charge.To do this complete a new registration (as if you are registering your dog with us for the first time) and make sure you include details of your current registration.
What should I do if I move to a new address within the City of Melville? You must notify us of your new address in writing. You can do this in person, by email or via our General Animal Maintenance Form.
How many dogs can I have registered at my property? Our local laws allow two dogs to be registered per property.
How do I notify you if I have sold my dog, or given them to a new owner? Please contact our Customer Relations Team or use our General Animal Maintenance Form to request a copy of our Transfer of Dog Ownership Form. You must complete this form and return it to us so that the pets records can be updated.
What do I need to do if my dog has died or left the City of Melville area? You must notify us in writing if your dog is deceased or you have moved out of the City of Melville area. This can be via email or our General Animal Maintenance Form. If you do not have online access you can attend our Civic Centre in person and our Customer Relations staff will assist you to complete the General Animal Maintenance Form.
What if my dog’s tag is lost or damaged? You can notify us verbally over the phone and in person, or in writing by email, or using our Animal Maintenance Form. We will send you a replacement tag by post.
Can I register my dog if it has been declared dangerous or is a restricted breed? Yes, but in these instance you can only register for one year and the registration must renewed annually.
Can I register my assistance dog? Yes, but in these instances you can only register your dog for one year and the registration must be renewed annually.
You must provide evidence that your dog is an active assistance dog by providing supporting documents from the Department of Local Government, Sport and Cultural Industries (DLGSC)
DLGSC states, “Not all dogs are an assistance dog even if they assist you in some way. An assistance dog is a dog that is specially trained to assist a person to alleviate or manage the effect of that person's disability or medical condition.”
For more information about assistance dogs or to get your dog approved as an assistance dog, visit https://www.dlgsc.wa.gov.au/local-government/community/cats-and-dogs/applying-for-assistance-dog-approval
What is the difference between sterilisation and vaccination? Sterilisation is surgical desexing that involves removing part of the reproductive system of an animal whilst under a general anaesthetic. Animal vaccination is the immunisation of an animal against harmful diseases.
My dog is microchipped – does that mean it is also registered? No. Microchipping your dog does not automatically mean your dog has been registered. Contact our Customer Relations Team if you are unsure if your dog is registered with us.
I registered my animal in (X) Month and have received a renewal notice, why? All animal registrations expire on the 31 October of the year it is due.
The registration year runs from 1 November through to the 31 October of the following year, this applies to any animal registered during that period.
For example if an animal is registered in May for one year, that registration will be due for renewal on the 31 October of the same year as this is when the year ends for the registration. This can be avoided by registering your pet for life.
Please note lifetime registration years commence on the 1 November through to the 31 October of the following year and are valid for 25 years.