Owning pets and animals in Yarra
Own a pets or animals in Yarra, here's a list of service to help you find what you need
We’ve got a new plan for the welfare and safety of animals in our community for 2026 until 2029.
Find a service or information
Register your pet
Pet ownership rules in Yarra: microchipping, registration, desexing, and renewal requirements.
Desexing your pet
Find information about getting your pet microchipped and desexed.
Responsible pet ownership
For more details on responsible pet ownership in Yarra
Lost and stray pets
Finding stray cats or dogs we recommend checking with local animal shelters. Most lost and stray pets in Yarra are taken to the Lost Dogs' Home.
Barking dogs
Learn how to report a barking dog, when these complaints are appropriate, and what to do if you receive a complaint.
Excess animal permits
Excess animal permits help protect the health of pets and prevent inconvenience for neighbours.
Report a dog attack
Report a dog attack promptly with details like location, owner info, and incident description.
Update your pets details
It is important that you keep your pets details up to date.
Commercial dog walkers
If you are a professional dog walker operating within Yarra on Council land or a public space, it is essential to understand and comply with our General Local Law.
Domestic animal management plan
We’ve got a new plan for the welfare and safety of animals in our community for 2026 until 2029.
Your pet ownership responsibilities
We encourage everyone in Yarra to be responsible pet owners.
- registering your dog
- microchipping, desexing and vaccinating your dog
- having control of your pet in public
- obeying on-leash and off-leash areas.
- Having more than 2 dogs in a house or 1 dog in a unit/flat requires a permit.
- registering your cat
- microchipping, desexing and vaccinating your cat
- keep your cat indoors between 7pm and 7am to protest native wildlife
- having control of your pet in public
- Having more than 2 cats in a house or 1 cat in a unit/flat requires a permit.
- registering your pet
- microchipping, desexing and vaccinating your pet if applicable
- having control of your pet in public
- Having more than a certain number of animals requires a permit.
- registering your dog
- microchipping, desexing and vaccinating your dog
- having control of your pet in public
- obeying on-leash and off-leash areas.
- Having more than 2 dogs in a house or 1 dog in a unit/flat requires a permit.
- registering your cat
- microchipping, desexing and vaccinating your cat
- keep your cat indoors between 7pm and 7am to protest native wildlife
- having control of your pet in public
- Having more than 2 cats in a house or 1 cat in a unit/flat requires a permit.
- registering your pet
- microchipping, desexing and vaccinating your pet if applicable
- having control of your pet in public
- Having more than a certain number of animals requires a permit.
Reporting concerns about animal welfare
You should contact the RSPCA to raise concerns about:
- animals with insufficient food, water or shelter
- sick, injured, underweight or emaciated animals
See the RSPCA for more information, or call on 03 9224 2222.
Animal management requirements
Our animal management requirements are covered in:
- our domestic animal management plan [ PDF, 1.29 MB] . This covers strategies, services and programs to promote responsible pet ownership and address animal management issues.
- in the Council Order made under Sections 25 and 26 of the Domestic Animals Act 1994 [ PDF, 296.32 KB] .
For more information you can contact us.