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.
Before you register your pet
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.
You must register your pet if:
- You have a cat or dog that is 3 months of age or older
- You have recently moved into Yarra with a pet
- You have adopted/purchased a new cat or dog
If you need to renew your existing pet registration, visit renew your animal registration for information on renewals.
If you're registering a cat or dog for the first time:
- Your pet must be at least 3 months old
- Your pet must be microchipped
- Cats must be desexed unless exempt
- Registration fees may apply
If you've moved to Yarra and your pet is currently registered with another Victorian council:
- You will need to register your pet with Yarra
- Provide details of your current registration where available
- Your pet must meet registration requirements, including mandatory desexing for cats unless exempt
If you're registering a cat or dog for the first time:
- Your pet must be at least 3 months old
- Your pet must be microchipped
- Cats must be desexed unless exempt
- Registration fees may apply
If you've moved to Yarra and your pet is currently registered with another Victorian council:
- You will need to register your pet with Yarra
- Provide details of your current registration where available
- Your pet must meet registration requirements, including mandatory desexing for cats unless exempt
Registration fees
Cats
| Type | Fee | Pro-rata Fee 1 Oct - 31 Jan |
|---|---|---|
| Desexed standard registration | $45.50 | $22.75 |
| Concession registration | $18.00 | $9.00 |
| Under 6 months | Free | Free |
| Foster carer | $8.00 | $4.00 |
| Other fees | ||
| Replacement tag | $8.00 | $8.00 |
Dogs
| Type | Fee | Pro-rata Fee 1 Oct - 31 Jan |
|---|---|---|
| Standard registration (not desexed) | $240.00 | $120.00 |
| Concession registration (not desexed) | $120.00 | $60.00 |
| Reduced registration | $80.00 | $40.00 |
| Reduced concession registration | $24.00 | $12.00 |
| Declared menacing/dangerous/restricted | $378.00 | N/A |
| Under 6 months | Free | Free |
| Foster carer | $8.00 | $4.00 |
| Other fees | ||
| Replacement tag | $8.00 | $8.00 |
Documents you need
When registering your pet, you must provide the following depending on your application.
- Microchipping certificate (available from shelters, breeders or vets)
- Desexing certificate (if applicable)
- Microchipping certificate (available from shelters, breeders or vets)
- Desexing certificate (if applicable)
- Pension Concession Card or Veteran Affairs Gold Card
Discounts do not apply for Health Care Card holders.
- Microchip certificate
- Desexing certificate (if applicable)
- Documentation from the relevant guide dog organisation
- Microchipping certificate (available from shelters, breeders or vets)
- Desexing certificate (if applicable)
- Proof of registration with an approved organisation
Note: The approved applicable organisations are as follows:
- Australian National Cats Inc.
- Dogs Victoria
- Feline Control Council (Victoria) Inc
- The Governing Council of the Cat Fancy Australia and Victoria Inc
- Master Dog Breeders & Associates
- Responsible Pet Breeders Australia
- Microchipping certificate (available from shelters, breeders or vets)
- Desexing certificate (if applicable)
- Microchipping certificate (available from shelters, breeders or vets)
- Desexing certificate (if applicable)
- Pension Concession Card or Veteran Affairs Gold Card
Discounts do not apply for Health Care Card holders.
- Microchip certificate
- Desexing certificate (if applicable)
- Documentation from the relevant guide dog organisation
- Microchipping certificate (available from shelters, breeders or vets)
- Desexing certificate (if applicable)
- Proof of registration with an approved organisation
Note: The approved applicable organisations are as follows:
- Australian National Cats Inc.
- Dogs Victoria
- Feline Control Council (Victoria) Inc
- The Governing Council of the Cat Fancy Australia and Victoria Inc
- Master Dog Breeders & Associates
- Responsible Pet Breeders Australia
How to register your pet
Complete an online application to register your pet with Yarra.
To help us process your application, please ensure all supporting documents are uploaded before submitting your application.
What happens next?
Once you've submitted your application and paid the applicable fee:
- You'll receive a confirmation email.
- Council will assess your application and supporting documents.
- If we need additional information, we'll contact you.
- Once approved, we'll issue your animal registration certificate and lifetime registration tag.
If you are unable to register your pet online, you can download, complete and submit a new animal registration form [ PDF, 162.85 KB] .
Update your pet's details
You should update your pet's registration details if:
- You move to a new address (within or outside Yarra)
- Your contact details change
- Your pet has been desexed
- Your pet becomes lost
- Your pet has passed away
- Ownership of your pet changes
To update your pet's details, submit an online request. Including your animal registration number or tag number will help us process your request more quickly.
Transferring ownership
If ownership of your pet has changed, supporting documentation is required.
This may include:
- A signed Statutory Declaration from the previous owner
- Adoption or transfer paperwork
- Veterinary records
- Other evidence of ownership
Council may contact the current or proposed owner and request additional information before updating registration records.
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 $8.
Assistance dogs
Eligible assistance dogs may be registered free of charge where they meet the requirements of the Domestic Animals Act 1994.
Eligibility requirements
To apply for free registration, you must provide evidence that:
- You have a disability and require an assistance dog
- Your assistance dog has been trained to alleviate the effects of your disability
- Your assistance dog has completed the prescribed obedience training requirements
- Your assistance dog is at least 12 months of age
- Your assistance dog is microchipped
- Your assistance dog is desexed
Applying for assistance dog registration
Assistance dog registrations cannot be completed online currently.
To allow Council to assess eligibility, you must complete and submit a paper application form along with all supporting documentation.
Supporting documentation may include:
- Evidence of your disability and need for an assistance dog
- Documentation relating to your dog's training and obedience certification
- Documentation from a recognised assistance dog organisation (where applicable)
- Any other information required to assess your eligibility
More information
For information about assistance dog eligibility requirements, recognised training organisations and the different types of assistance dogs, visit Agriculture Victoria.
Frequently asked questions
You must update both your pet registration details and your pet's microchip records.
If you move within Yarra, you'll need to update your address and contact details with Council.
If you move outside Yarra, you'll need to register your pet with your new local Council. We can provide a registration certificate to assist with the transfer process.
Yes. A separate registration application is required for each pet.
Please note that an excess animal permit is required if you keep more than 2 dogs or more than 2 cats at a property.
Yes. If you move into Yarra, you'll need to register your pet with Yarra City Council.
If your pet is currently registered with another Victorian council and the registration is still current, no registration fee will apply for the remainder of that registration period (until 9 April).
You will need to notify Council so your pet's registration records can be updated.
Supporting documentation is required and may include:
- A signed Statutory Declaration from the previous owner
- Adoption or transfer paperwork
- Veterinary records
- Other evidence of ownership
Council may contact the current or proposed owner before updating registration records.