Pet registration

All dog registrations require proof of microchipping.

You are eligible for a reduced fee if any of the below apply:

• desexed
• over 10 years old
• kept for working stock
• kept for breeding at licensed premises
• proof of registration with an applicable organisation:
  • Dogs Victoria
  • Master Dog Breeders and Associates
  • Responsible Pet Breeders Australia
• undergone obedience training by approved training organisations

Fees are not required to register the following dogs:

• Guide dogs, assistance dogs and government service dogs 
• a dog being used as a guide dog by a visually or hearing impaired person.
• a dog being trained as a guide dog by an approved organisation.
• a dog working with a person who is carrying out duties for a Department or Agency of the State or Commonwealth.

Full fees apply if you are not eligible for a reduced fee.

Partial fees and refunds

The fee you pay the first time you register your pet depends on when you register. Registration fees will reduce by 25% each quarter after April.

If you have paid your pet registration, you may request a partial refund if your animal becomes desexed, moves out of the City of Kingston, or becomes deceased. To request a refund, please email your details, including animal reference number or animal tag number, and BSB and account details to info@kingston.vic.gov.au. Please note refunds may take 2-4 weeks to be processed.

All cat registrations require proof of microchipping

Reduced fees

You are eligible for a reduced fee if any of the below apply:

• desexed
• over 10 years old
• kept for breeding at licensed premises
• registered with an applicable organisation:
  • Australian National Cats Inc
  • Feline Control Council (Victoria) Inc
  • The Governing Council of the Cat Fancy Australia and Victoria Inc

Full fees

Full fees apply if you are not eligible for a reduced fee

Partial fees and refunds

The fee you pay the first time you register your pet depends on when you register. Registration fees will reduce by 25% each quarter after April.

If you have paid your pet registration, you may request a partial refund if your animal becomes desexed, moves out of Kingston Council or becomes deceased. To request a refund, please email your details, including animal reference number or animal tag number, and BSB and account details to info@kingston.vic.gov.au. Please note refunds may take 2-4 weeks to be processed.

A registration tag is to be worn by dogs or cats at all times.

If your pet’s tag has become worn, illegible or lost please request a replacement tag.

Please allow up to 10 business days for your pet's tag to arrive.

There is a limit on the number of animals you can have at your property. If you want more than the specified number, you can apply for an excess animal permit.

Exemptions to compulsory desexing include animals exempt under the Domestic Animals Act 1994, which are:

• a dog or cat owned by a person or body that conducts a domestic animal business registered with council, where the dog/cat is used for breeding purposes in connection with that business
• a dog or cat that is the subject of written veterinary advice that the health of the animal is liable to be significantly prejudiced if it is desexed. This written veterinary advice must be given by a veterinary practitioner after he or she has personally examined the dog or cat and must include the reasons why the health of the dog or cat is liable to be significantly prejudiced if it is desexed
• a dangerous dog kept for guarding non residential premises
• a dangerous dog that has undergone protection training
• a dog or cat that is owned by a person who is a current member of an Applicable Organisations and the animal is registered with that organisation (proof must be provided of both owners and dog/cat membership at the time of registration)

Fees are not required to register the following dogs:

• a dog being used as a guide dog by a visually or hearing impaired person.
• a dog being trained as a guide dog by an approved organisation.
• a dog working with a person who is carrying out duties for a Department or Agency of the State or Commonwealth.

Fees are not required to register an assistance dog.

What is an assistance dog?

An assistance dog is trained to perform tasks or functions that assist a person with a disability to alleviate the effects of his or her disability.

This can include but not limited to:

• dogs trained to assist with individuals with mobility impairments
• autism spectrum disorder (ASD)
• post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)

• sudden medical alerts.

Eligibility

You must provide evidence that:

• you have a disability that requires an assistance dog and the assistance dog has been trained to ease the effect(s) of the disability
• the assistance dog has completed obedience training provided by a dog trainer
• the assistance dog is over 12 months of age
• the assistance dog is desexed
• the assistance dog is not declared dangerous, menacing, or restricted breed dog.

How to apply for a fee exemption

Complete the proof of assistance dog status form(PDF, 68KB). You will need to upload the completed form when registering your pet.