Pet ownership rules in Yarra: microchipping, registration, desexing, and renewal requirements.
Under state law, every dog and cat over 3 months must be microchipped and registered with us.
Microchipping does not register your pet. You must complete an animal registration application to register your pet.
Once your pet is registered, you'll receive a certificate and a lifetime tag. You must ensure that your pet always wears the tag, so we can contact you if it escapes or becomes lost.
For information on the benefits of registering your pet, visit the Animal Welfare Victoria.
Cats in Yarra must also be desexed.
If you need to renew your existing pet registration, visit renew your animal registration for information on renewals.
How to register your pet
You need to register your pet if it's three months or older. The registration year runs from 10 April until 9 April the following year.
To register, follow these steps:
- Complete a quick questionnaire which will provide a link to the correct application for your pet.
- Enter your pet's details, emergency contacts, supporting documents and your details.
- Make your payment.
If you have more than one pet, you must complete an individual application for each pet.
What you'll need if you're registering your pet for the first time
When registering your pet you must provide the following:
- Microchipping certificate (available from shelters, breeders or vets)
- Desexing certificate (if applicable)
- Pension Concession Card or Veteran Affairs Gold Card (Health Care Cards not applicable)
- Proof of registration with an approved organisation (if applicable)
- Proof of being a guide dog, customs dog or service dog (if applicable).
Once your pet is registered, we'll send you a renewal notice in March of each year.
If you are unable to register your pet online, you can download, complete and submit a new animal registration form [ PDF, 164.23 KB] .
What happens next?
We will send you a confirmation email after you submit your application and pay the fee.
We must verify the information in your application before we process your registration and issue your lifetime tag. If we need further information we'll contact you directly.
Once your application is finalised, you will be sent a animal registration certificate and your pet's lifetime tag.
All fees include a $4.23 State Government Levy. Fees are effective from 1 October 2024.
| Type | Fee |
|---|---|
| Desexed standard registration | $21.5 |
| Concession registration | $8.25 |
| Under 6 months | Free |
| Foster carer | $4 |
| Type | Fee |
|---|---|
| Standard registration (not desexed) | $112.50 |
| Concession registration (not desexed) | $56.25 |
| Reduced registration | $37.50 |
| Reduced concession registration | $11.25 |
| Declared menacing/dangerous/restricted | $360 |
| Under 6 months | Free |
| Foster carer | $4 |
| Other fees | |
| Replacement tag | $7 |
You can also get a reduced fee with a pension concession or Veteran Affairs Gold Card.
Concession eligibility
To be eligible for a discount you must hold one of the following:
- Pension Concession Card (Centrelink or Veteran's Affairs)
- Department of Veteran Affairs Gold Card specifying TPI or War Widow.
Discounts do not apply for Health Care Card holders.
Update your pet's details
You must update your pet's details if:
- you move to a new address (in or out of Yarra)
- you recently desexed your pet (this reduces the renewal fee)
- your pet has passed away or is lost
- your contact details have changed
- you gave your pet away.
To update any of this information, please submit an online request. It will also help us to process your request quicker if you include your animal ID or tag number.
Request a replacement tag
If you need a replacement pet registration tag, visit one of our customer service centres or make a request online.
The fee for a replacement registration tag is $7.