Dog and cat registration

All dogs aged 12 weeks and over must be registered with Council, as a requirement of the Animal Management (Cats and Dogs) Act 2008.  It is also compulsory to register your cat with Council, in accordance with this Act. Responsible Pet Owning Family

Registering your dog and cat helps Council reunite your pet if it is impounded, or to notify you in case of an accident.  Registration fees also enable us to deliver a wide range of animal management services such as the pound, dog patrols and community information about responsible pet ownership.

Forms

The following forms are available in the related documents area.

Discounted registration fees

Council offers discounted registration fee for desexed dogs and free registration for desexed cats.  This is done in the interest of responsible pet ownership, and to help limit the number of unwanted animals and unregistered backyard breeding.  Proof of desexing is required, either by suppling a copy of the desexing certificate, or a written letter from your vet.

Discounted registration fees are also provided to pensioners for their dog or cat registration. Proof of eligibility is required.

Discount registration and renewal fees cease on 1 August each year. 

Aged Pensioner, Guide, Hearing or Assistance Dog Registration

Senior Citizen with dog

Guide, Hearing and Assistance dogs which are microchipped and desexed are eligible for free registration, which must be renewed every three years.

Similarly, aged pensioners who own dogs which are desexed and microchipped are eligible for free dog registration, renewed every three years.

Excess animal permit

The number of dogs you are permitted to keep depends upon the size of your allotment, and is specified under Cairns Regional Council Subordinate Local Law No. 2 (Animal Management) 2011.

  • If your allotment is less than 450m2 – you may keep 1 dog without an approval.
  • If your allotment is more than 450m2 – you may keep 2 dogs without an approval.

If you wish to keep more than the allowed limit on your allotment, you must submit an Excess Dog Permit application or an Excess Cat Permit application to Council.

Restricted breeds

Under the Animal Management (Cats and Dogs) Act 2008, you must not own or be a responsible person for a restricted dog, unless you have a restricted dog permit issued by Council.

A restricted dog is a dog of the following breeds:

  • an American Pit Bull Terrier or Pit Bull Terrier
  • Dogo Argentino
  • Fila Brasileiro (also known as Brazilian Mastiff)
  • Japanese Tosa
  • Perro de Presa Canario (or Presa Canario)

If you wish to keep a restricted dog, you must first apply to Council for a permit. For more information about restricted dogs and restricted dog permits, contact Council’s Animal Management Unit by phoning 4044 3044 or 4099 9444.