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Register your pet

Pet ownership rules in Yarra: microchipping, registration, desexing, and renewal requirements.

Under state law, every dog and cat over 3 months must be microchipped and registered with us.

Microchipping does not register your pet. You must complete an animal registration application to register your pet.

Once your pet is registered, you'll receive a certificate and a lifetime tag. You must ensure that your pet always wears the tag, so we can contact you if it escapes or becomes lost.

For information on the benefits of registering your pet, visit the Animal Welfare Victoria.

Cats in Yarra must also be desexed.

If you need to renew your existing pet registration, visit renew your animal registration for information on renewals.

Transfer of registration

Yarra accepts transfers from other Victorian Council's for free, if currently registered. The free registration will be until the end of the current registration period (10 April)

We cannot accept free transfers from other States, you will need to submit a new animal registration.

How to register your pet

You need to register your pet if it's three months or older. The registration year runs from 10 April until 9 April the following year.

To register, follow these steps:

  1. Complete a quick questionnaire which will provide a link to the correct application for your pet.
  2. Enter your pet's details, emergency contacts, supporting documents and your details.
  3. Make your payment.

If you have more than one pet, you must complete an individual application for each pet.

Register your pet online Update your pet's details

What you'll need if you're registering your pet for the first time

When registering your pet you must provide the following:

  • Microchipping certificate (available from shelters, breeders or vets)
  • Desexing certificate (if applicable)
  • Pension Concession Card or Veteran Affairs Gold Card (Health Care Cards not applicable)
  • Proof of registration with an approved organisation (if applicable)
  • Proof of being a guide dog, customs dog or service dog (if applicable).

Once your pet is registered, we'll send you a renewal notice in March of each year.

If you are unable to register your pet online, you can download, complete and submit a new animal registration form [ PDF, 250.35 KB] .

What happens next?

We will send you a confirmation email after you submit your application and pay the fee.

We must verify the information in your application before we process your registration and issue your lifetime tag. If we need further information we'll contact you directly.

Once your application is finalised, you will be sent a animal registration certificate and your pet's lifetime tag.

Registration fees

All fees include a State Government Levy which is $4.64. Fees are effective from 2 February 2025

TypeFull FeePro-rata fee 
1 Oct - 31 Jan
Desexed standard registration$45.50$22.75
Concession registration$18.00$9.00
Under 6 monthsFreeFree
Foster carer$8.00$4.00
Other fees  
Replacement tag$8.00$8.00
TypeFeePro-rata fee 
1 Oct - 31 Jan
Standard registration (not desexed)$240.00$120.00
Concession registration (not desexed)$120.00$60.00
Reduced registration$80.00$40.00
Reduced concession registration$24.00$12.00
Declared menacing/dangerous/restricted$378.00$378.00
Under 6 monthsFreeFree
Foster carer$8.00$4.00
Other fees  
Replacement tag$8.00$8.00

Concession eligibility

To be eligible for a discount you must hold one of the following:

  • Pension Concession Card (Centrelink or Veteran's Affairs)
  • Department of Veteran Affairs Gold Card specifying TPI or War Widow.

Discounts do not apply for Health Care Card holders.

Update your pet's details

You must update your pet's details if:

  • you move to a new address (in or out of Yarra)
  • you recently desexed your pet (this reduces the renewal fee)
  • your pet has passed away or is lost
  • your contact details have changed
  • you gave your pet away.

To update any of this information, please submit an online request. It will also help us to process your request quicker if you include your animal ID or tag number.

Update your pet's details

Request a replacement tag

If you need a replacement pet registration tag, visit one of our customer service centres or make a request online.

The fee for a replacement registration tag is $8.

Request a new registration tag

Assistance dogs

Assistance dogs can be registered for free, to be eligible for free register you need to meet the following requirements:

How do I apply to receive free registration for my assistance dog?

To apply for free registration, make an application to your council providing evidence that:
  • you have a disability and require an assistance dog
  • your assistance dog has been trained to alleviate the effects of your disability
  • your assistance dog has completed obedience training, as defined in the Governor in Council Order
  • your assistance dog is at least 12 months of age
  • your assistance dog is microchipped
  • your assistance dog is desexed

Why does my assistance dog need to complete obedience training?

Obedience training requirements are in place to protect public health and safety.

What different types of assistance dogs are there?

Assistance dog is an umbrella term that describes dogs trained to provide disability support for certain conditions. Common types of assistance dogs in Australia include those trained to assist with mobility impairments, autism spectrum disorder (ASD), post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and sudden medical alerts.
Mobility assistance dogs
Mobility assistance dogs support people with physical disabilities and reduced motor skill, including those who suffer from cerebral palsy, spina bifida, multiple sclerosis, and those injured in serious accidents. The dogs can be trained to retrieve and carry items, open and close doors and drawers, turn lights on or off, help pull a manual wheelchair, and provide support to their handler for other everyday tasks such as dressing or undressing.
ASD assistance dogs
ASD assistance dogs are trained to keep children with ASD safe and assist them to learn skills that aid in their ability to interact in the community. The dogs can be trained to touch or nudge the child to interrupt repetitive, disruptive or distressing behaviour. These interactions can also help prevent a child’s emotional reaction from escalating. They can also assist in the development of a child’s social, verbal and cognitive skills, and improve confidence and independence, and emotional and environmental understanding.
PTSD assistance dogs
PTSD can cause feelings of panic, extreme fear or helplessness that foster social isolation and an inability to work and interact with the wider community. PTSD assistance dogs are trained to detect signals of distress in their handler and alleviate those symptoms. The dogs can be trained to create space for the person in public places, improving the handler’s sense of safety and security when out in the community, and engage in eye and body contact to comfort their handler and divert their attention.
Medical alert dogs
Medical alert dogs are trained to predict oncoming episodes or medical issues, such as seizures or low blood sugar, and respond accordingly. A response may include alerting the handler or a carer of the impending issue, retrieving necessary medication or preventing the individual from moving.