Council cracks down on pet registration

Moreton Bay Regional Council is on the lookout for owners of unregistered cats and dogs, with an inspection program starting this month.

New registration notices were issued last September but by May 19 this year, about 15 percent of the 78,655 registered owners had failed to pay.

A report delivered at last week’s Council meeting said that taking into account the region’s growth, the levels of registration in some areas and industry information, the total number of cats and dogs on Moreton Bay’s registration database was considered to be less than the number of canines and felines in the community.

Speaking at the meeting, a council officer said while some registrations were likely not paid because the animal had died or the owner had moved, there were owners who had not responded to multiple reminders.

“It’s about being fair to the people who do pay their registration,” he said.

Facing fines

The inspection program gives Council officers the power to enter properties to recover unpaid cat and dog registrations, as well as to issue penalty infringement notices.

Officers will also visit newly developed areas and areas with low numbers of registrations to provide education and awareness to ensure the registration of cats and dogs.

The inspection program starts on July 18 and runs until the end of the financial year.

Register your animal here.