The council has decided to have a two week amnesty period for pet owners to pay late registration fees with no penalty.
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“Under the Domestic Animals Act 1994, all dogs and cats over the age of three months must be microchipped and registered with your local council by 10 April every year,” Northern Grampians Shire Council mayor Tony Driscoll said.
“So it is disturbing that hundreds of pets are reported missing or are impounded in Northern Grampians Shire every year.”
In addition to the amnesty period, the council is holding discounted microchipping for pets on June 3.
“The amnesty period begins on May 14 and ends on May 28,” Cr Driscoll said.
Unregistered dogs or cats can be impounded if found wandering and the owner can be fined.
“Council encourages pet owners to take advantage of the amnesty period and upcoming microchipping day to meet their legal obligations, ensure that lost pets can get safely home and avoid a fine,” Cr Driscoll said.
A microchip is a permanent method of electronic identification.
The RSPCA wrote that the benefits of microchipping in terms of identifying a lost animal and reuniting them with their owner far outweigh any minimal, momentary discomfort for the animal.