Pet owners urged to update their details

The Region’s dog owners are being urged to ensure their details are correct and up to date.

Renewal notices for dog registrations are scheduled to be sent out later this month.

Councillor Robertson said having the correct details in Council’s system can help owners take advantage of the discount period.

“Registration and microchipping are compulsory for dogs over the age of 12 weeks and significant penalties can apply for owners who don’t register and microchip their animals,” he said.

The fees collected from registrations help to offset the cost of animal management in the Charters Towers Region.

Those costs include running of the pound, returning or rehoming pets, educating pet owners, and enforcing local laws around issues like dog attacks, barking, and wandering dogs.

“Registering dogs makes it easier for Council’s Rangers to return animals if they do escape.

“Fees are also considerably less for a registered animal should it be impounded”, said Cr Robertson.

By way of encouraging responsible ownership, dog owners can also save on registration fees if they desex their animal.

Council is again supporting RSPCA’s Operation Wanted program this year, and it is available for both cat and dog owners in the Region.

Pet owners can save 20 per cent on desexing their animals during June, July, and August.

More information on Operation Wanted can be found at www.operationwanted.com.au

To find more information on how to registration your animal, visit www.charterstowers.qld.gov.au/services/animal-management/dogs-and-cats.