Dog registration

All dogs over 3 months of age are required to be registered with us through Dogs and Cats Online (DACO). An adopted dog older than 3 months needs to be registered within 14 days of the new owner adopting the dog.

If you breed dogs and sell them you must register with Breeder/Pedigree Membership Registration. Find out how to register as a breeder with the DACO Easy Guides for Cats and Dogs.

When you register your dog with DACO, you will be issued a ‘lifetime’ tag number. A tag will be posted to you by DACO, but you may display your dog’s tag number on any tag of your choice.

Registration expires on 30 June each year, with renewal notices issued by Dogs and Cats Online (DACO). If you don't receive your renewal notice by August get in touch with us on 8563 8444.

If your new dog was previously registered by another owner it will already have a registration number. As a new owner, you'll need to work with the previous owner for a change of ownership so that the dog is registered in your name.

Dog registration fees are determined by Council on an annual basis and can be found in our Fees and Charges Register.

Registration payments can be made by DACO Online, or in person at one of our Council offices.

Concessions are automatically validated when registering your dog through DACO. Simply enter your concession card number when prompted during the registration process. A 50% concession fee is available to persons who are current holders of the following concessions:

• Department of Veteran Affairs - Gold or White Card
• Pensioner Card - All
• Senior Health Card
• Health Card

Rebates are available for dogs that have had obedience training. For you to be eligible for a rebate, your dog must be able to display the following:

• walk on a loose lead in a distracting or unfamiliar environment; and
• recall on command while off-lead in an unfamiliar environment; and
• sit, drop and advanced stay on command; and
• remain calm and easily controlled around other people and other dogs; and
• display greeting manners.

Rebates also apply to dogs that are used in pet therapy programs with relevant certification, or for the first year of registration for puppies that have completed a puppy pre-school class.