How to register your dog in queensland
Charlotte Bryan
Published On Jul 25,2021
Owning a dog is both fun and rewarding, but it does come with its own set of responsibilities. One of those responsibilities – at least if you’re a resident of Queensland, Australia – is having your dog registered with your local council.
Why should you register your dog?
These 7 tips can be effective in calming your dog down by decreasing boredom, increasing your dog’s physical and mental stimulation, and increasing your dog’s overall engagement with you. If you’re still undecided whether registering your dog is worth the hassle, here are a couple of compelling reasons as to why dog registration should be a no-brainer for any dog owner.
- It’s the law. A question that you may have as a dog owner is: “Do you have to register your dog?” A simple answer to that is yes. It’s mandatory that all dogs are registered in Queensland. All dogs must be registered 1) before they attain the age of 12 weeks (3 months) and 2) within 14 days of relocating into a new local government area in the state.
- It will help you find your pet if they ever get lost. If your beloved pooch goes missing the council registration tags, provided to you after you register your dog, will help local residents and city officials identify your precious pooch and get them back to you safely.
- The cost of getting a license is cheaper than paying a fine. An unregistered dog will attract a fine of at least $200 – plus any outstanding fees – for the owner so you might as well pay an initial fee when you first get your dog and save yourself a couple of fines later on.
- It assures the public that your dog is not a stray. The registration tags that your dog will wear help assure the public that your dog is a pet, not a stray, and is vaccinated. People will, therefore, more likely, treat your dog with kindness in case it wanders off.
- Funding for animal welfare projects. The registration fees you pay will help your local council fund animal welfare projects including shelters, dog parks and exercise facilities.
How do you go about registering your dog?
Before you can register your dog with any local council, it’s mandated that you first get them microchipped by a registered veterinarian. The microchip identification details are required to complete the registration.
After that, having your dog registered is quite a simple and straightforward process. You can easily access an online from from your local councils website – all you need to type into Google is “dog registration [your city] council”. For instance: PASTE IN IMAGE Once you have accessed the form either print it out and fill it in, or fill it in online.
Once you’ve completed the form, follow the instructions your local council’s website and submit it together with the registration fee and you’re done!
Once your registration has been processed, usually within 10 business days, the council with send out your registration tags, which you are required to have your dog wear at all times. In most localities in Queensland, dog registration should be renewed every year, unless there is a provision for multi-year registration.
Special permits and reciprocal dog registration
Generally, you are only allowed to register a maximum of 2 dogs per suburban household. Any more and you will be required to have a special “additional dog” permit. A special permit will also be required for some dog breeds that have been deemed “menacing” or “dangerous”, or is a “restricted” breed. Dog breeders, as well as those keeping dogs for racing, are also required to have a special permit.
If you’re relocating from one local authority to another, your current registration from your previous local council could be eligible for reciprocal registration; so be sure to check. If the registration qualifies for reciprocation, all you will need to do is have your previous registration validated in the new locality instead of registering your dog afresh.
How much does it cost to register your dog? Are there any consessions or exemptions?
The cost of registering your dog will, generally, range anywhere from $30 to $150 in most Queensland localities. Concessions and/or exemptions are, however, available for:
- Desexed dogs,
- Working dogs and service dogs,
- Government-entity dogs,
- Members of certain dog associations, such as Dogs Queensland and Greyhound Racing Authority, and;
- Veterans and pensioners who qualify for concessions.
Additional documents will, often, be required for you to access these concessions and exemptions.
Here are some FAQs about getting your dog registered in Queensland:
How much does it cost to register a dog in Qld?
| Registration type | Full fee | Pensioner fees |
|---|---|---|
| Nondesexed dog | $109.15 | Pensioner owners receive a 50% reduction on the non-pensioner fee |
| Desexed dog | $38.10 | Pensioner owners receive a 50% reduction on the non-pensioner fee |
| Desexed dog (adopted through an approved facility) | $25.40 | Pensioner owners receive a 50% reduction on the non-pensioner fee |
| Registration (desexed dog subsequent years) | $50.75 | Pensioner owners receive a 50% reduction on the non-pensioner fee |
| Registration (non-desexed dog subsequent years) | $145.55 | Pensioner owners receive a 50% reduction on the non-pensioner fee |
| Guide, hearing, mobility, support and psychiatric assistance dogs | No fee | No fee |
| Government entity dog (e.g. police or customs dog) | No fee | No fee |
How do I register my dog in Qld?
The entire dog registration process can be summed up in just 3 steps:
- Get your dog microchipped at a registered veterinary clinic – the microchip number is required for registration.
- Navigate to your local council’s website and download the dog registration form and fill it in.
- Submit the registration form, with the necessary documents, and pay the registration fee.
How many dogs can you have Sunshine Coast Council?
2 Dogs.
The Sunshine Coast council permits two dogs per property. In unit complexes or rentals you must check with the landlord or owner as to whether pets are allowed. In order to keep more than two dogs, you must apply for an “additional dog” permit.
How do I transfer ownership of a dog in Qld?
The Queensland Government requires your dog be microchipped before rehoming it or transferring ownership. You can easily do this online at your local council’s website or by phoning your local council.
What happens if your dog isn’t registered?
You are at risk of getting a fine if you are caught out. The best thing to do is just register your puppy and avoid the hassle of fines.
Do you have to register a new puppy?
Yes.
You are required by law to register your new puppy before it reaches 12 weeks (3 months) of age.
Now that you have Queensland’s dog registration process figured out, go ahead and get your dog registered to enjoy the benefits while staying on the right side of the law.
Happy parenting!
NB: The specific fees/rules detailed in this article is specific to the Sunshine Coast Council in Queensland, Australia. Please look up specfic fees etc in your own area – you can use the general process detailed in this article.
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