As the City of Logan trends towards smaller housing blocks and rapid growth in retirement and aged-care living, pet owners are reminded that the number of dogs and cats that can be kept depends on the size of the property.
Pet owners also must provide adequate fencing to contain their dog or cat.
This includes ensuring their pet cannot escape under, over or through the enclosure.
These requirements are part of Logan City Council’s Animal Care Strategy (2018-2022) which encourages and promotes responsible pet ownership across the city.
The City of Logan is home to more than 60,000 registered cats and dogs.
Council’s laws relating to the number of dogs that can be kept include:
- 0-300 square metres: One dog with Council approval
- 301-499 sq m: One dog without Council approval or two dogs with Council approval
- 500-599 sq m: Two dogs without Council approval
- 600-2000 sq m: Two dogs without Council approval or up to four dogs with Council approval
- 2001- 80,000 sq m: Three dogs without Council approval or four dogs with Council approval
- 80,000 sq m or more: Four dogs without Council approval or up to nine dogs with Council approval.
Only two cats can be kept on a property, regardless of the property size, unless the owner applies for approval to keep up to a maximum of four.
All cats kept in Logan must be desexed unless they are owned or kept by an approved, recognised association for the purpose of breeding.
Size also matters when it comes to keeping a companion pet in a retirement village or aged-care facility in Logan.
Under Council’s local laws, if the residential lot at the facility is 300 square metres or less, only one dog up to 10kg in weight, or up to two cats, are permitted without Council approval.
Companion pets in retirement villages and assisted care facilities must be desexed.
Waterford West’s Kath Woodbridge and her husband Ken adopted Staffordshire bull terrier-kelpie-cross Bip last year after their 14-year-old Staffy Kea passed away two years ago.
As Bip is heavier than 10kg, Kath obtained Council approval and the permission of management at the Talbarra Retirement Living facility where she lives to keep Bip as a companion pet.
“Bip is great company for us and I urge other people in similar situations to get a companion pet and make sure they’ve got any approvals they might need,” she said.
“Bip wakes us up in the morning to go for a walk and if I go out, she waits at the door for me to come home.
“She’s also great with other residents. They stop to chat and ask about her and some of the other residents even take her for a walk.”
Companion dogs are not the only animals that require Council to issue a special approval.
Registered cat and dog breeders and security dog owners require special approvals to keep additional animals.
Cat and dog owners must provide their pet with essential basics such as food, water, shelter, exercise and general care as well ensuring that their cat or dog is not being kept in a way that results in a nuisance or annoyance to a person’s enjoyment of their place of residence.
All cats and dogs over the age of 12 weeks must be registered with Council and be microchipped to ensure they can be reunited with their owner should they escape, wander or get lost.
Owners exercising their dog are required to use a leash no longer than two metres, unless the dog is in an off-leash area. There are 39 off-leash dog parks across the city.
Non-compliant owners may be fined if the management of their cat or dog does not comply with the law.
