City of Darwin’s efforts to increase the number of animal registrations across the municipality are paying dividends, with more than 85% of animals registered in a recent audit.
The three month audit included 8 suburbs in Darwin’s northern suburbs and nearly 6,700 properties. Of the properties audited 446 had unregistered animals, with the suburb of Karama achieving the highest number of registered animals.
Lord Mayor Kon Vatskalis was delighted with the results saying “The hard work put in by our officers is paying off.”
“Our focus on positive animal management practices, endorsed by Council in April this year, encourages responsible pet ownership.”
“A cornerstone of being a responsible pet owner is ensuring your pet is registered and all registered pets need to be microchipped.”
In April City of Darwin initiated a campaign to encourage responsible pet ownership – Great Pets Start with You – and held a series of free animal education workshops, registration and free microchipping events across the municipality.
The aim is to encourage owners to register and microchip their pet, secure their pet, desex their pet and act on excessive barking.
“A well trained pet is a happy pet,” said Lord Mayor Vatskalis “regularly walking your dog and ensuring they are obedient will reduce their stress levels and make for a peaceful neighbourhood.”
“If your pet is registered we can quickly reunite you with your pet, release them from the pound for free, provide bark collars and cat traps for free, and pet owners have access to City of Darwin’s Animal Education Officer for free advice on managing behaviours.”
Microchipping and Registration events have been particularly successful in 2019, with 56 animals registered and 17 microchipped at two events.
Additional animal education workshops, registration and free microchipping events are planned for 2020, with details to be available on City of Darwin’s website.
The animal registration audit is continuing and further results are expected in the New Year.
