Community Safety Team Hitting The Road For Pet Registration Drive
Ararat Rural City Council’s Community Safety Team will hit the road in coming weeks, visiting towns across the municipality as part of a focused pet registration drive following the 10 April 2026 due date for annual renewals.
The first stop on the schedule will be Elmhurst, with further visits planned to other Ararat Rural City communities to give residents a simple way to register their pets on the spot and avoid penalty.
Team members will be available in each town in Ararat Rural City to help residents complete registration forms, answer questions about responsible pet ownership, and take payment. Staff will also provide information about microchipping requirements, reduced-fee categories, and how registration supports animal management services across the municipality.
Ararat Rural City Council CEO, Dr Tim Harrison, said on-the-ground engagement was an effective way to support residents who may have missed the renewal deadline or who are registering a new pet for the first time. “Pet registration is one of those simple, practical steps that makes a big difference when something goes wrong,” Dr Harrison said. “When animals stray or go missing, up-to-date registration details give our Community Safety Team a clear pathway to reunite pets with their owners quickly, and that is a good outcome for everyone.”
Dr Harrison encouraged all dog and cat owners across Ararat Rural City to take advantage of the Community Safety Team’s upcoming visits. “We know people are busy, and sometimes paperwork falls to the bottom of the list,” he said. “By bringing this service directly into our towns, we are removing barriers, making it easier to do the right thing, and supporting responsible pet ownership in every corner of the municipality.”
Under Victorian regulations and Council’s Local Laws, all domestic cats and dogs three months and over must be registered or re-registered with Council by 10 April each year. Registration also needs to be kept current when people move house or change contact details, so that Council officers can reach owners promptly if their pet is found roaming.
Council strongly encourages residents to speak with the Community Safety Team during their town visits, or to contact Council’s Customer Service team to finalise registrations if they are unable to attend in person. To register your pet online or get more information on fees, visit our website https://www.ararat.vic.gov.au/pet-ownership
