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12 THINGS THAT WHYALLA DOG OWNERS NEED TO KNOW
- All dogs must be microchipped after July 1, 2018 and registered between July 1 and August 31.
- All dogs born after July 1, 2018 must be desexed, microchipped and registered.
- Only registered breeders or, in some cases primary producers, can own non-desexed dogs born after July 1, 2018.
- Dogs born before July 1, 2018 do not have to be desexed but must be microchipped and registered.
- It costs $32.50 to register a microchipped and desexed dog
- It costs $65 to register a dog that is not desexed or microchipped
- Expiation notices of $170 can be issued under the new Act to those people with dogs that are not microchipped.
- Expiation notices of $210 can be issued to an owner that doesn’t clean up after their dog defecates in a public place. Expiation notices of $210 can be issued for dogs wandering at large.
- Expiation notices of $170 can be issued under the Act to those people with unregistered dogs.
- Dogs can be registered on the new DACO online system or by contacting council on 8640 3444 for assistance with using the new system.
- Those people in Whyalla who already have a registered dog should wait until they receive a renewal notice before going on DACO to renew their registration.
- More information on dog microchipping, desexing and registration can be found at http://www.dogandcatboard.com.au/
The new State Government Dog and Cat Management Act requires all dogs in Whyalla to be microchipped after July 1 this year.
Other laws under the new Act include a requirement that dogs born after July 1 this year must be desexed if you are not a registered breeder or, in some cases, a primary producer.
Dogs born before July 1 this year are not required to be desexed but are required to be microchipped by the age of 12 weeks and registered. If you acquire a dog that isn’t microchipped, it must done within 28 days.
To encourage Whyalla residents to have their dogs desexed and microchipped, registration fees for desexed and microchipped dogs is $32.50. Dogs that are not desexed or microchipped will cost $65 to register.
Expiation notices of $170 can be issued under the new Act for any dog not microchipped or registered. There will also be hefty expiation notices for anyone found to be breeding dogs without the necessary licence.
Microchipping and registration of dogs is the most effective form of permanent identification for your dog. A bit like product barcodes, the microchip carries a code unique to each dog. This code is recorded on a national database and appears on the certificate of identification given to an owner.
As collars and tags can fall off dogs, microchipping is the best way to have your pet returned if it happens to go missing or gets lost.
“These new laws and measures are designed to help dog owners,” City of Whyalla Senior Compliance Officer Rachel Coles said.
“The microchipping will allow us to easily identify stray or lost dogs and return them quickly to their owners.”
Microchipping does not, however, automatically mean your dog is registered. Dogs must still be registered via the new Dogs and Cats Online (DACO) database at www.dogsandcatsonline.com.au (available after July 2) or by contacting Council on 8640 3444 for assistance using the online system.
Those with dogs already registered should, however, wait until they receive their renewal notices, sometime in July, before going online to renew their registration. Owners have between July 1 and August 31 to register their dogs.
You can manage the details (your address and contact information) on your dog’s microchip through the DACO database. If you move or change your phone details, it is important to update them for your dog’s sake.
Those obtaining a dog already microchipped should ensure they get the details changed from the previous owners.
Microchips are tiny, the size of a rice grain, and inserted under the skin between the shoulder blades of the dog. The procedure is not painful and there is no ongoing discomfort.
To help dog (and cat) owners, Council is running another $10 microchipping day on Saturday, June 30 at the Whyalla Dog Park on Searle Street. Microchipping can cost up to $50 or more from a vet so this is an ideal opportunity to save some money and have your dog recorded and safely returned if lost.