Alpine Shire Council is reminding local pet owners that annual dog and cat registration renewals are due by Friday, 10 April 2026.
Registering pets is crucial for community safety and responsible ownership; it helps reunite lost pets with their owners, reduces fines, and supports services like animal welfare and ranger operations.
Under the Domestic Animal Act 1994, all domestic dogs and cats must be registered in their local shire.
Unregistered animals cannot be returned by Rangers, and non-compliance can result in fines of over $400.
On average, Council Local Laws Officers receive two to three phone calls a week about missing cats and dogs. When these pets are registered, they can be reunited with their owners.
Alpine Shire Mayor, Cr Sarah Nicholas, said our Rangers provide critical services funded by registration fees.
"They work tirelessly, picking up cats and dogs at all hours and in all weather conditions, conducting vet assessments, handling dangerous dogs, responding to dog attacks, trapping feral or stray cats, addressing reports of at-large animals, and investigating animal cruelty reports," she said.
Cr Nicholas said registration fees also help rehome animals, reducing euthanasia rates.
"Alpine Shire Council has one of the highest rehoming versus euthanasia rates in Victoria," she said.
"I am proud of our hard working and compassionate staff for going above and beyond to find loving homes for animals in our pound.
"We are legally required to report all euthanised animals, and only euthanise those that are terminally sick or unsuitable for rehoming."
For further information on pet registrations, or to register your pet for the first time, please visit Council's website: Pet Registration | Alpine Shire Council