Council
4 August, 2024
Council cuts rego tags
Moreton Bay Council announced it will no longer be providing registration tags to registered cats and dogs, with the exception of regulated dogs, as of August 1.
A Council spokesperson said the change will result in an improved customer service for pet owners, with owners now required to provide personalised ID tag with the owner’s phone number.
“By having personalised pet identification tags, the community will benefit with faster reunion of pets with their owner should they become lost or wandering,” they said.
“Any community member who finds a cat or dog will be able to easily contact the animal owner directly to reunite them.
“This may reduce the need for Council intervention, possible impoundment and payment of associated fees by the pet owner to release their pet from Council’s pound.”
According to the spokesperson, this change will also “streamline Council processes”, and benefit the environment, as there will be less need for plastic.
Despite the discontinuation of plastic registration tags, registration fees will not be affected.
“Registration is a legislative requirement and supports services such as pound management for lost and wandering pets, investigation and resolution of complaints and patrols of beaches and parkland areas,” they said.
Existing discounts for desexed animals and pensioners will still the same.
While registration tags are no longer issued, dogs and cats must be microchipped under the State’s Animal Management Act and Council will use microchip details to identify registered pets.
“Microchipping, along with personal identification tags, increases the chances of a swift reunion if your pet is lost or impounded,” they said.
Pet registration, microchipping and ID tags are required by law, to ensure Council can quickly reunite owners with their pets, if they go missing.
This change falls under Council’s new Animal Management Local Law 2023.
For more information visit https://ow.ly/X11m50SCSmc
This news comes just a few weeks after Somerset Council announced they will be freezing dog registration for three years, as part of the new 2024/25 budget, saving residents over $200,000.
The nearly $96 million budget will also provide a 15 per cent prompt payment discount for rates provides further financial relief.
