Dog and Cat Ownership Tips

Dog registrations must be renewed by 31 August each year.

Please wait to receive a renewal notice from the Council before registering your dog.

All dogs must be registered online at Dogs & Cats Online.

To register your dog, visit: Dogs & Cats Online

If you need help registering you dog online, visit the Council’s customer service team at Norwood Town Hall or any of our three libraries

All dogs and cats must be microchipped by law.

Vets, councils and shelters can use the microchip to find out your contact details should your pet get lost. This is why it’s important that they’re kept up to date.

Contact your vet about microchipping or ChipBlitz offer microchipping for $10.

For more information, visit: Chip Blitz

Dogs and cats born after 1 July 2018 must be desexed once they are old enough. This can be done by a registered vet.

If your pet is born before 1 July 2018, they do not need to be desexed, but it is recommended to help pets stay healthier and reduce the amount of unwanted litters.

Some dogs are exempt from desexing laws.

For more information, visit Dogs & Cats Online

Dogs must be on their leash in all public places, other than designated off-leash areas.

There are 10 off-leash areas in parks and reserves across the City where you can let your dog off its leash.

Please keep your dog under effective control when in the off-leash areas.

Visit: Dog Off-leash Areas

Make sure your dog is under your effective control, especially in public.

You must use a leash (no longer than 2 metres) and voice commands to control your dog.

When in an off-leash area, you must stay in close proximity to your dog and you should be able to see them at all times.

Keep your dog secure and safe on your property.

Securing your property with fencing can help stop your dog from escaping and wandering at large.

Dogs wandering at large are often distressed and a risk to themselves and the community.

Barking is a dog’s way of communicating but excessive barking can become a nuisance.

To find out what to do if a dog is barking excessively, visit: Dog Barking

Certified compostable dog bags are now available in all of our parks and reserves

Clean up after your dog responsibly. Take compostable dog poo bags with you when you walk your dog, to make sure you don’t get caught out!

The Council has made the switch to certified compostable dog poo bags which are much better for the environment.

Unlike degradable and biodegradable plastic bags, these bags are made from fully compostable corn starch.

Because the new bags are certified compostable they can be placed in your green lid bin along with the dog poo and eventually converted to compost.

If you are unable to take the used bag home, please place in an outdoor bin provided by the Council.

You can identify a compostable bag by the compostable certification seed symbol.