Following community feedback received during last year’s dog registration survey, Bundaberg Regional Council today adopted a wider variety of dog registration fees as part of an annual review of animal management fees and charges.
Health and Regulatory Services portfolio spokesperson Cr Wayne Honor said the new fees provided further discounts for dogs that were both microchipped and desexed.
“We have received a lot of feedback from dog owners regarding needing to register their dogs when they have already paid to have them microchipped,” Cr Honor said.
“As we explained at the time, dog registration and microchipping is a State Government legislative requirement under the Animal Management (Cats & Dogs) Act 2008 and is compulsory throughout Queensland, not just Bundaberg”.
“However, Council was pleased to take this opportunity during an annual review to address the concerns of residents while continuing to meet this obligation.”
Cr Honor said Council had also received a number of enquiries about the need to register a new puppy before it was safe to desex them.
“In light of these concerns, we have also introduced a $33 fee for puppy registration where the puppy is not desexed, provided they are under 12 months of age and it is their first registration period.”
He said Council hoped the new fees would act as an incentive for responsible pet ownership.
“Council recommends that dogs be both microchipped and desexed and now, as a result of these charges, there is also a financial benefit for residents in doing so.
Cr Honor said that while the first release for impounded dogs that are registered was free, dogs that are both microchipped and desexed will now also receive further discounts for any subsequent releases.
The new fees and charges for dog registration include:
- desexed and microchipped – $25
- desexed – $35
- microchipped – $70
- entire – $99
- entire puppy under 12 months of age – $33 (applies to first registration period only)
The new fees for dog impoundment include:
- registered, first release – $0
- registered, desexed and microchipped – $100
- registered and desexed or microchipped – $150
- registered entire dog – $178
- unregistered, desexed and microchipped – $178
- unregistered and desexed or microchipped – $200
- unregistered entire dog – $250
Cr Honor encouraged residents to update their dog’s details with Council, if necessary, to ensure the relevant charge was applied in their dog registration renewal notice.
Registration renewal notices are set to be issued at the end of July this year for the upcoming registration period from September 2015 to August 2016.
ENDS