Cat and dog registrations are due on 10 April and Swan Hill Rural City Council is urging pet owners to ensure that their animals are registered.
Council’s Public Health and Regulatory Services Coordinator Trish Ficarra said dogs and cats must be registered, under state law.
“If you are registering your pet for the first time, it must be microchipped before Council can register it – you can have your pet microchipped through your vet. Council is also running a free microchipping program in the first week of April, to book your spot you must attend one of Council’s Customer Service Centres”
“Registering your pet is one of the best ways to ensure you can be reunited with your dog or cat if it gets lost,” she said.
Ms Ficarra said residents could also take advantage of discounted registrations if their pets are desexed.
“It is not compulsory to desex your pet, but it is encouraged. Fees for desexed pets are reduced from $132 to $44, which is a significant saving over the lifetime of a pet.
“In conjunction with the National Desexing Network, Council also runs a subsidised cat desexing program. The program is available to residents on pensions or low incomes,” she said.
“Pension card holders are eligible for a 50% discount on registration fees (excluding declared menacing and dangerous dogs,) Ms Ficarra said.
Pet registration notices have now been sent to all registered pet owners, and are due on 10 April.
