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Being a responsible pet owner - dog registration

  • Pet owner requirements

    There are requirements every pet owner must follow while living in the region.

    • Check with your body corporate or landlord to see if you’re allowed a pet
    • Check local laws  to see how many pets you’re allowed

  • Register a dog

    All dogs must be registered with council:

    • before they are 12 weeks old
    • within 14 days of moving to the local council area or taking over ownership

    Registration can be done at any time of the year. Renewals due at the start of each financial year (1 July).

    Registration form here.

     

  • Registration fees 2026-2027

    Fees are calculated prorate from the date you register your dog. The below costs are for the entire 12 months of registration.

    Type of dog  Cost 
    Entire dog  $60.00
    Desexed Dog $22.00
    Puppy up to 6 months old No charge
    Regulated Dog $891.50

  • Off-leash areas

    There are 4 off-leash areas in the Central Highlands that can be accessed 24/7:

    • Emerald, Rifle Range Road
    • Blackwater, Hunter Street Sports Complex
    • Springsure, adjacent to Zamia Parklands
    • Rolleston, near Beazley Park

    Your dogs can be legally exercised off their lead, but must remain under verbal control of the owner.

There are requirements every pet owner must follow while living in the region.

  • Check with your body corporate or landlord to see if you’re allowed a pet
  • Check local laws  to see how many pets you’re allowed

All dogs must be registered with council:

  • before they are 12 weeks old
  • within 14 days of moving to the local council area or taking over ownership

Registration can be done at any time of the year. Renewals due at the start of each financial year (1 July).

Registration form here.

 

Fees are calculated prorate from the date you register your dog. The below costs are for the entire 12 months of registration.

Type of dog  Cost 
Entire dog  $60.00
Desexed Dog $22.00
Puppy up to 6 months old No charge
Regulated Dog $891.50

There are 4 off-leash areas in the Central Highlands that can be accessed 24/7:

  • Emerald, Rifle Range Road
  • Blackwater, Hunter Street Sports Complex
  • Springsure, adjacent to Zamia Parklands
  • Rolleston, near Beazley Park

Your dogs can be legally exercised off their lead, but must remain under verbal control of the owner.

Register my dog
Lost and found

Registration frequently asked questions

  • How to register a dog

    Fill out the register a dog form online or call into your local council office.

    You will need your pet’s microchip certificate, (or proof of payment), proof of desexing (if this applies to your animal) and any concession card should you be seeking a pensioner rate.

    If your dog is not implanted with its prescribed permanent identification device (PPID) (microchip) at time of registration, you will need to have this done within 14 days of registration to comply with the relevant sections of the Animal Management Act 2008 or you may be subject to on-the-spot fines.

    If you change address, contact details or sell or give away your pet, you must notify council.

  • Owning more than one dog and multiple animal permits

    In urban areas, you can have up to two dogs. A permit may be granted for up to three dogs. If you would like to apply to keep additional animals, please fill out the relevant form visit your local council office.

  • Registering a desexed dog

    If you are registering a desexed dog then evidence must be produced that the dog has been desexed. This should either be a desexing certificate or a vet invoice. Otherwise, owners can provide a statutory declaration stating the dog is desexed.

    • If a registration application does not include a dog’s microchip number and/or evidence to support desexing, the entire animal fee applies.
    • Regulated dogs are not eligible for discounts for being desexed or microchipped.
    • Owners of restricted dogs (banned breeds) are not eligible for discounts related with desexing or microchipping.  An application for a permit must be completed and paid in full, in addition to the full cost of registration.
  • Moving with a dog

    If you move addresses within the Central Highlands region, you will need to update your dogs registered address to ensure compliance and a swift return should your dog be found or brought to council.

     

    If you are moving out of the Central Highlands region, we ask that you please contact us so that your dogs file can be updated.

     

    Incorrect registration information can result in on-the-spot fines, so please ensure that you keep your data accurate.

  • Cat Registration

    As of 2013, cat registration is no longer a requirement in the Central Highlands region. It is a requirement in Queensland, however, to ensure that cats are microchipped and their information is kept current.

     

    Whilst they are not required to be registered, impoundment penalties do still apply to cats should they be found or brought to council. To avoid this, we require residents to keep their cats within the boundary of their premises, preferably indoors.