Owning pets and animals in Yarra
Everything you need to register your pet, report issues, apply for permits and learn about responsible pet ownership.
What do you need to do today?
If you've found a lost or stray cat or dog in Yarra, we can help. Learn what to do, report the animal and find information about animal collection services.
All dogs and cats over three months of age must be registered. Register a new pet, renew a registration or learn about registration fees and concessions.
Report a dog attack involving a person or animal. Find information about reporting requirements and what happens after a report is received.
Update your contact information or your pet's details to help keep registration records current.
Pay an animal related infringement, request a review or find information about payment options.
Learn about the barking dog complaint process, your responsibilities and how Council investigates reports.
Apply for permission to keep more animals than normally permitted under our Community Local Law and learn about the assessment process.
Find information about commercial dog walker conditions and operating requirements in Yarra.
If you operate a domestic animal business such as boarding, pet sitting, training, breeding or animal daycare services, find information about registration requirements and operating obligations.
If you've found a lost or stray cat or dog in Yarra, we can help. Learn what to do, report the animal and find information about animal collection services.
All dogs and cats over three months of age must be registered. Register a new pet, renew a registration or learn about registration fees and concessions.
Report a dog attack involving a person or animal. Find information about reporting requirements and what happens after a report is received.
Update your contact information or your pet's details to help keep registration records current.
Pay an animal related infringement, request a review or find information about payment options.
Learn about the barking dog complaint process, your responsibilities and how Council investigates reports.
Apply for permission to keep more animals than normally permitted under our Community Local Law and learn about the assessment process.
Find information about commercial dog walker conditions and operating requirements in Yarra.
If you operate a domestic animal business such as boarding, pet sitting, training, breeding or animal daycare services, find information about registration requirements and operating obligations.
Explore
Register your pet
Pet registration helps reunite lost pets with their owners and is required for all cats and dogs over 3 months of age.
Renew your animal registration
How to renew your registration, access renewal notices or find more information regarding pet registration renewals.
Update your pet's details
It is important that you keep your pet's details up to date so they can reunited with you.
Lost and stray pets
Finding stray cats or dogs we recommend checking with local animal shelters. Most lost and stray pets in Yarra are taken to the Lost Dogs' Home.
Responsible pet ownership
For more details on responsible pet ownership in Yarra
Report a dog attack
Report a dog attack promptly with details like location, owner info, and incident description.
Barking dogs
Learn how to report a barking dog, when these complaints are appropriate, and what to do if you receive a complaint.
Cat trapping program
Yarra offers residents access to a cat trapping program to help deal with stray or feral, unowned and nuisance cats.
Domestic animal business registration
Any business which makes a profit from selling pets, boarding pets or training pets is a domestic animal business.
Commercial dog walkers
If you operate a commercial dog walking business in Yarra, you must comply with Council's Community Local Law and animal management requirements.
Domestic animal management plan
We’ve got a new plan for the welfare and safety of animals in our community for 2026 until 2029.
Keeping multiple animals
If you wish to keep more animals than permitted under Yarra's Community Local Law, you must apply for an excess animal permit. These permits help balance animal welfare with the amenity of neighbouring properties.
Your pet ownership responsibilities
We encourage everyone in Yarra to be responsible pet owners.
As a dog owner in Yarra, you're responsible for:
- must register your dog when 3 months or older
- microchipping, desexing and vaccinating your dog
- having control of your pet in public
- following on-leash and off-leash area requirements
- having more than 2 dogs in a house or unit/flat requires a permit
As a cat owner in Yarra, you're responsible for:
- must register your cat when 3 months or older
- must desex your cat (mandatory in Yarra)
- microchipping and vaccinating your cat
- keeping your cat within your property during our cat curfew hours (7pm to 7am)
- taking reasonable steps to prevent your cat from causing a nuisance
- having more than 2 cats in a house or unit/flat requires a permit
If you keep animals other than cats or dogs, you are responsible for ensuring they are appropriately cared for and comply with any relevant Council requirements, codes of practice and legislative requirements that apply to that type of animal.
This may include:
- Microchipping, desexing and vaccinating your animal where applicable
- Keeping your animal under effective control and properly contained
- Obtaining an excess animal permit if you wish to keep more animals than normally permitted
As a dog owner in Yarra, you're responsible for:
- must register your dog when 3 months or older
- microchipping, desexing and vaccinating your dog
- having control of your pet in public
- following on-leash and off-leash area requirements
- having more than 2 dogs in a house or unit/flat requires a permit
As a cat owner in Yarra, you're responsible for:
- must register your cat when 3 months or older
- must desex your cat (mandatory in Yarra)
- microchipping and vaccinating your cat
- keeping your cat within your property during our cat curfew hours (7pm to 7am)
- taking reasonable steps to prevent your cat from causing a nuisance
- having more than 2 cats in a house or unit/flat requires a permit
If you keep animals other than cats or dogs, you are responsible for ensuring they are appropriately cared for and comply with any relevant Council requirements, codes of practice and legislative requirements that apply to that type of animal.
This may include:
- Microchipping, desexing and vaccinating your animal where applicable
- Keeping your animal under effective control and properly contained
- Obtaining an excess animal permit if you wish to keep more animals than normally permitted
Reporting concerns about animal welfare
If you are concerned about an animal's living conditions, health or wellbeing, contact the RSPCA for advice.
The RSPCA can investigate concerns about:
- Animals without adequate food, water or shelter
- Sick, injured, underweight or neglected animals
See the RSPCA for more information or call on 03 9224 2222.
Council Order
The Council Order outlines the requirements for people owning domestic cats and dogs within the municipality. This includes things like controlling the behaviour of dogs in public places, mandatory desexing of cats, the cat curfew and the designation of dog off-lead parks. The current Council Order commenced 1 January 2024.