Registration and Microchipping
Registration
The Animal Management (Cats and Dogs) Act 2008 requires all dogs over the age of 12-weeks (except working dogs) to be registered.
Council offers dog owners the option of registering their dog for 1 or 3 years.
To register a dog, renew a registration, or change the details of a registered dog, please click on the relevant form below:
Dog Registration Application Form
Do I need to register my dog with Council? Yes - all dogs over the age of 12-weeks must be registered.
Do I need to have my dog desexed? No - although it is recommended that you desex your dogs and cats.
Do I need to microchip my dog? Yes, this is a requirement of the Animal Management (Cats and Dogs) Act 2008.
What is a working dog? ‘Working dog’ is a specifically defined term which means a dog that is usually kept on rural land, owned by a primary producer (or a person engaged or employed by a primary producer) and is used, or is being trained to be used, for droving, protecting, tending, or working, stock. ‘Stock’ means alpacas, asses, buffaloes, camels, cattle, deer, donkeys, goats, horses, llamas, mules, sheep or vicunas.
How much will it cost to register my dog? Costs for the various registration categories can be found here.
REFUNDS OF DOG REGISTRATION FEES
You may be eligible for a refund of registration fees if your registered dog dies or gets desexed.
If your dog dies within 30-days of being registered, you can request a 100% refund of the registration fee, or you can choose to transfer the remainder of the registration to a new dog.
If your dog dies during the first half of the registration period, you can request a partial refund of the registration fee, or you can choose to transfer the remainder of the registration to a new dog.
You must provide proof of the dog’s death such as a euthanasia certificate, a letter issued by a vet or statutory declaration.
Refund for Deceased Dog – % of Registration Fee Paid | |
Dog dies within 30-days of registration | 100% |
Dog registered for 12-months dies within 6-months of registration | 50% |
Dog registered for 3-years dies within 12-months of registration | 75% |
Dog registered for 3-years dies within 18-months of registration | 50% |
Otherwise | 0% |
No refund applies if the dog dies within the second half of the registration period, however you can still transfer the remaining period of registration to a new dog. Please contact Council to organise a transfer.
If a dog registered as a non-desexed dog gets desexed within 6-months of registration, the owner may request a refund of the difference in registration fee paid and that payable for a desexed dog.
To request a refund, please complete the Request for Refund of Dog Registration Fee form below:
Request for Refund of Dog Registration Fee
If you relocate out of the Lockyer Valley, you can discuss transferring the remainder of your dog’s registration with your new local government.
Dog Registration Renewals
Council issues Dog Registration Renewal Notices the month before registrations expire. Dog owners will receive a renewal notice for their dog's registration via email or Australia Post.
If you no longer own the dog, or if any of your details have changed, let Council know either by email, website, phone, or in person.
Hints when Paying Registration Renewal
- Check all details on the form are correct and, if not, contact Council to update details.
- If your dog has been de-sexed, contact Council as the registration fee for a de-sexed dog is much less.
- You can pay for your dog's registration using BPAY, PostPay, Online Services, over the phone, or in person at Council’s Offices in Gatton and Laidley.
- If paying via BPAY, make sure that the Reference Number you use matches the one on the notice. You will need to make separate payments for each dog.
Microchipping of Cats and Dogs
Cats and dogs must be microchipped when:
- they are sold (seller's responsibility); or
- given away (responsibility of person giving the animal away); or
- before reaching 12-weeks of age.
A microchip is the size of a grain of rice. It's implanted by your local vet. The microchip doesn't cause any discomfort or pain to your pet.
The number on the microchip is linked to your contact details and recorded on a database for the life of your pet.
This means that your pet is permanently identified Australia-wide and can be returned to you even if your pet loses its collar and registration tag.
If you move address, contact your microchip registry to update your details as soon as possible. This will increase the chance of your pet being reunited with you if they become lost.
