Pets & Animals

New animal registration & animal renewal

Whether you're a cat or dog lover, everyone wants to be a top pet parent. This includes keeping them safe and accounted for in our city. 

Registering your furry friend with Council is crucial if your pet was to ever wander from your property. Once found, they can be easily identified and reunited to you, free of charge.  

Registration costs are $27.50 for your dog and $16.50 for your cat up until 10 October 2025 and you can save the stress, and expense, if your furry friend goes astray.
From 1 July 2025, there is no charge for pension card holders when registering their pets for the first time. Proof of concession card must be provided.

Register a new pet

Your pet must be 3 months or over and microchipped prior to registering.

Download a hard copy of pet registration form (pdf, 784KB)

A tag will be sent to attach to your pet's collar once registered.

Need more information about animal registration submit enquiry.

Renew registration

Your registration will expire on 10 April each year. You will be sent a Renewal of Registration for payment.

Please note, we have recently updated our renewal process. Pet owners whose registration renewals were not paid for this year will receive a reminder email to the email address used to register the pet with Council. If no email is available, a letter to households will be sent.

If your pet has died, please advise us on council@mvcc.vic.gov.au

Update or cancel your pet’s registration

If your details have changed, if you have moved, or your pet is no longer with you, please let us know. This only takes 2 minutes to complete.

Transfer ownership

You must notify us if you transfer ownership of your pet. If the new owner resides outside of Moonee Valley, the new owner must also notify the council where they reside.

Need more information about transferring ownership submit enquiry.

Initial Registration Fees 2025/26

Initial registration fees are discounted for first time registration with Council.
Animals registered at the Lost Dogs’ Home are issued with a renewal fee amount as their initial registration fee.

Dog Registration discount – Initial Registration
(except if reclaimed)
$27.50
Dog Registration discount (pensioner) – initial registration
(except if reclaimed)
No charge
Cat Registration discount – Initial Registration
(except if reclaimed)
$16.50
Cat Registration discount (pensioner) – initial registration
(except if reclaimed)
No charge
Service dogs (Guide, Customs, Police, Therapy dogs).
Proof must be provided.
No charge
Transfer of Registration No charge

Annual Renewal of Registration Fees 2025/26

Annual renewal fees are applied each year from 10 April.

Discounted fees apply for any one or combination of the following:
• desexed
• over 10 years old
• used for breeding by proprietor of domestic animal business
• registered with applicable organisation
• obedience training which complies with the regulations
• kept for working stock.
Proof must be provided.
$55 $27.50
Dogs with none of the above. $165 $82.50
Restricted breeds, declared dangerous (including commercial guard dogs) or menacing dogs. $240 $240
Service dogs (Guide, Customs, Police, Therapy dogs)
Proof must be provided.
No charge No charge
Discounted fees apply for any one or combination of the following:
• desexed
• over 10 years old
• used for breeding by proprietor of domestic animal business
• registered with applicable organisation.
Proof must be provided.
$33 $16.50
Cats with none of the above. $110 $55

How many animals can I have?

If you keep more animals than listed, you will need to submit an Extra Animals Permit Application online.

Permits expire on 10 April annually.

2025/26 fee for non-cat and dog permits is $43.

Poultry (excluding roosters) 0 6
Caged birds 5 15
Roosters 0 0
Dogs 1 2
Cats 1 2
Rabbits 1 5
Rodents 2 6
Reptiles 5 5
Racing pigeons 0 40
Farm animals 0 Only permitted by permit where there is 2,000m2 of open land per animal
Any other animals 0 0

Restricted breeds

Dogs are declared to be dangerous if they have previously attacked, are kept to guard an industrial property, or have been trained to attack. There are strict rules on the housing, exercising and ownership of these dogs.

Restricted breads are considered a higher risk to community safety even though they may have not attacked a person or animal or displayed signs of aggression. These include:

  • American Pit Bull Terrier (or Pit Bull Terrier)
  • Fila Brasileiro
  • Japanese Tosa
  • Dogo Argentino
  • Perro de Presa Canario (or Presa Canario).

Contact us on 9243 8888 if you have any concerns regarding restricted breed dogs.

Dog parks

Council has 11 designated off lead parks within the municipality. We love all our recreation facilities and the open spaces across Moonee Valley and we know your pooch probably does too!

A reminder that dogs are prohibited from being within 15 metres of any children’s playground, public barbeque, or exercise equipment area. To keep our community safe, it’s important to follow local laws and show consideration of shared public spaces.

You must pick up after your dog and should carry bags with you at all times.

They must be under effective control, even if they are on lead. This means the dog returns when called, can be seen if off-lead, is secure when on a lead, and does not bother or attack any person or animal.

All dogs must be walked on a leash when outside their property unless they are in one of Council’s off-leash parks.

Report an animal issue

Domestic animal business application

Domestic animal businesses include:

  • pet shops
  • animal shelters and pounds
  • breeding establishments
  • any premises where boarding occurs
  • dog training establishments.

To register as a Domestic Animal Business:

Register a new pet

Your pet must be 3 months or over and microchipped prior to registering.