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Pet Ownership

Responsible pet ownership is encouraged and governed by the Dog Act 1976 and Cat Act 2011 (as amended)

Useful Documents

Dog Registration Form

Cat Registration Form

Laws for Responsible Dog Owners

Dangerous Dog Declared Fact Sheet

Dangerous Dog Restricted Fact Sheet

Keep your Dog safe from Parvovirus

Dog Act 1976

Cat Act 2011

Dog Ownership

State Legislation requires that dogs over three months of age are registered, and owners of unregistered dogs may be issued with infringement notices.

From 1 November 2013 all new dogs, that is pups and other dogs being registered for the first time and dogs where ownership is changing, will need to be microchipped.

All dangerous dogs were to have been microchipped by 30 November 2013.

All other dogs were to have been microchipped by 1 November 2015.

Any dog impounded will be released from the pound under the condition proof is provided to the Shire of the dog being microchipped within the time specified by the Shire.

Microchipping is at the owner's expense.

Dog Registration

All dogs over the age of three months must be:

• Registered
• Microchipped
• And wear a collar with a registration tag

The annual registration period runs from 1 November to 31 October. All registrations must be renewed prior to 1 November. 

Between 31 May - 31 October only half the registration fee is payable on the first time, one year registrations.

Documented proof of sterilisation and microchipping must be provided when registering your dog (where applicable).  

Dogs owned by the Crown are exempt from the provisions of the Act, including registration. The exemption for foxhound packs has been removed, as has the exception for dogs in kennels. While dogs normally kept in kennels will now have to be individually registered, the registration concession rate will continue to apply to kennel owners. 

Dangerous Dogs

The Act provides for three categories of dangerous dogs: dangerous dog (restricted breed), dangerous dog (declared) and commercial security dog. The following conditions apply to all three categories:

• Requirement for dog to wear a special identifying collar, be muzzled, on a lead and under the control of an adult capable of controlling the dog when in public (except when a commercial security dog is working);
• The dog must be confined in an enclosure that is constructed to prevent the dog from escaping, from being released or removed by another person without the owner's permission, and to prevent a child less than seven years old from entering or inserting part of their body. Warning signs must be displayed at every entrance.

Additionally restricted breeds must be sterilised and cannot be bought, sold or transferred except under very limited circumstances. Local governments will not be required to identify restricted breeds - a question to this effect appears on the new Registration Form.

Penalties

Penalties have been increased for all offences. A higher level of maximum penalty is specified for offences by dangerous dogs. In some cases, minimums also apply.

Dog attacks have been differentiated with the creation of two offences: of attacking or chasing where injury is caused and where no injury has been caused.

An application form to register your dog can be downloaded from this website. You may post this form with the appropriate fee or bring the completed form to the Shire Office with the required fee. Tags will be issued for affixing to the dog's collar. Once registered, renewal notices will be sent annually. You are requested to advise the Shire Office if a registered dog dies or is no longer required to be registered in this Shire. Your dog licence is still valid (until it expires) should you move to another Shire.

Report all straying animal situations within the Shire of Chapman Valley to the Senior Ranger

Phone: Work 9920 5011 Mob: 0428 948 073

The pound is located at the Nabawa Depot - 3270 Chapman Valley Road, Nabawa. 

Cat Ownership

As a responsible pet owner you are encouraged to:

• Keep your cats confined to your property especially at night
• Ensure your cat is easily identifiable with a collar and name tag
• Microchip/Sterilise and vaccinate your cat

Some further facts regarding your cat:

• Only 3 cats are permitted to be registered to a property
• Only a registered cat breeder may have an unsterilised cat
• All cats must be microchipped, sterilised and registered
• There is an option for lifetime registration of a cat

Cat Registration

In December 2011, the Western Australian State Government introduced legislation called the Cat Act 2011. From 1 November 2013 all domestic cats 6 months and older will be required to be:

• Sterilised
• Microchipped
• Be registered with the local council where the cat is ordinarily kept
• And wear a collar with a registration tag

Documented proof of sterilisation and microchipping must be provided to be able to register your cat/s.

Breeding Cats

The legislation requires that a person who chooses to breed cats must apply to their local government for a permit. When a cat is sold, the seller must ensure the cat is microchipped and sterilised prior to transfer. If the cat cannot be sterilised due to its young age, a voucher must be issued to the new owner. Only approved breeders will be exempt from sterilisation laws.

Microchipping

It was a legal requirement for all cats to be microchipped as at 1 November 2013. The benefits of microchipping your pets are:

• The insertion of the chip, under the skin is a quick and painless procedure, to be performed by a Vet
• The microchip cannot fall out
• The microchip remains active for the life of the animal
• The procedure only takes a few seconds
• Your pet can be immediately identified

Subsidised Sterilisation

The Shire of Chapman Valley does not offer subsidised cat sterilisation subsidy.

The Mid West Cat Shelter has been approved a grant for sterilisation subsidy. Enquiries can be made with this Shelter to determine what subsidies are available.