Pet registration

All cats and dogs need to be registered with us from three months old.

New or older animals moving into Kingston also need to be registered (follow the steps to register your pet below).

Register pet

Step 1.Gather your information

You need digital copies of the below to apply:

Mandatory

  • proof of desexing
  • proof of microchipping 

Optional

  • proof of working dog status
  • valid pension card
  • approved obedience training certificate
  • breeding license
  • membership to any applicable organisation
  • proof of assistance dog status form

Step 2.Apply online

Have your credit card ready and complete our online form

Register your dog or cat

Renew pet

You must renew current animal registrations by April 10 each year. We send you a reminder each year via mail. If you would like to receive your reminder via email, register online.

Step 1.Get your renewal notice

Your renewal notice will have all the information you need to apply

Step 2.Renew online

Get your credit card ready

Renew your registration 

Other online options

 

Update details

You can update your details online to let us know if:

  • your personal details have changed
  • your pet has died
  • you have recently moved house within Kingston, or moved out of Kingston to a new Council
  • you need to update ownership details

 

Step 1.Get your details ready

You need to include the below to complete the online form:

  • microchip number
  • animal reference number or animal tag number

Step 2.Complete the online form

Make sure your details match what we have on record.

Update your details

 

All dog registrations require proof of microchipping.

You are eligible for a reduced fee if any of the below apply:

  • desexed
  • over 10 years old
  • kept for working stock
  • kept for breeding at licensed premises
  • proof of registration with an applicable organisation:
    • Dogs Victoria
    • Master Dog Breeders and Associates
    • Responsible Pet Breeders Australia
  • undergone obedience training by approved training organisations

Fees are not required to register the following dogs:

  • Guide dogs, assistance dogs and government service dogs 
  • a dog being used as a guide dog by a visually or hearing impaired person.
  • a dog being trained as a guide dog by an approved organisation.
  • a dog working with a person who is carrying out duties for a Department or Agency of the State or Commonwealth.

Full fees apply if you are not eligible for a reduced fee.

Category Standard fee Pension card holders
Reduced fee $63.00 $31.50
Full fee  $189.00 $94.50
Restricted, dangerous or menacing (as declared by Council)  $324.00 $162.00
Registered dangerous as a guard dog or trained in Protective Services $184.00 $92.00
Guide dogs, assistance dogs and government service dogs $0  $0 
Foster care dog $7.00 $7.00 

Partial fees and refunds

The fee you pay the first time you register your pet depends on when you register. Registration fees will reduce by 25% each quarter after April.

If you have paid your pet registration, you may request a partial refund if your animal becomes desexed, moves out of the City of Kingston, or becomes deceased. To request a refund, please email your details, including animal reference number or animal tag number, and BSB and account details to info@kingston.vic.gov.au. Please note refunds may take 2-4 weeks to be processed.

All cat registrations require proof of microchipping

Reduced fees

You are eligible for a reduced fee if any of the below apply:

  • desexed
  • over 10 years old
  • kept for breeding at licensed premises
  • registered with an applicable organisation:
    • Australian National Cats Inc
    • Feline Control Council (Victoria) Inc
    • The Governing Council of the Cat Fancy Australia and Victoria Inc

Full fees

Full fees apply if you are not eligible for a reduced fee

Category Standard fee Pension card holders
Reduced fee $46.50 $23.50
Full fee $181.00 $90.50
Foster care cat $4.00 $4.00

Partial fees and refunds

The fee you pay the first time you register your pet depends on when you register. Registration fees will reduce by 25% each quarter after April.

If you have paid your pet registration, you may request a partial refund if your animal becomes desexed, moves out of Kingston Council or becomes deceased. To request a refund, please email your details, including animal reference number or animal tag number, and BSB and account details to info@kingston.vic.gov.au. Please note refunds may take 2-4 weeks to be processed.

A registration tag is to be worn by dogs or cats at all times.

If your pet’s tag has become worn, illegible or lost please request a replacement tag.

Please allow up to 10 business days for your pet's tag to arrive.

There is a limit on the number of animals you can have at your property. If you want more than the specified number, you can apply for an excess animal permit.

Exemptions to compulsory desexing include animals exempt under the Domestic Animals Act 1994, which are:

  • a dog or cat owned by a person or body that conducts a domestic animal business registered with council, where the dog/cat is used for breeding purposes in connection with that business
  • a dog or cat that is the subject of written veterinary advice that the health of the animal is liable to be significantly prejudiced if it is desexed. This written veterinary advice must be given by a veterinary practitioner after he or she has personally examined the dog or cat and must include the reasons why the health of the dog or cat is liable to be significantly prejudiced if it is desexed
  • a dangerous dog kept for guarding non residential premises
  • a dangerous dog that has undergone protection training
  • a dog or cat that is owned by a person who is a current member of an Applicable Organisations and the animal is registered with that organisation (proof must be provided of both owners and dog/cat membership at the time of registration)

Fees are not required to register the following dogs:

  • a dog being used as a guide dog by a visually or hearing impaired person.
  • a dog being trained as a guide dog by an approved organisation.
  • a dog working with a person who is carrying out duties for a Department or Agency of the State or Commonwealth.

Fees are not required to register an assistance dog.

What is an assistance dog?

An assistance dog is trained to perform tasks or functions that assist a person with a disability to alleviate the effects of his or her disability.

This can include but not limited to:

  • dogs trained to assist with individuals with mobility impairments
  • autism spectrum disorder (ASD)
  • post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
  • sudden medical alerts.

Eligibility

You must provide evidence that:

  • you have a disability that requires an assistance dog and the assistance dog has been trained to ease the effect(s) of the disability
  • the assistance dog has completed obedience training provided by a dog trainer
  • the assistance dog is over 12 months of age
  • the assistance dog is desexed
  • the assistance dog is not declared dangerous, menacing, or restricted breed dog.

How to apply for a fee exemption

Complete the proof of assistance dog status form(PDF, 68KB). You will need to upload the completed form when registering your pet.