If you have just moved to the City of Whitehorse with your pet, welcome! If you have never before owned or taken care of a pet in the City of Whitehorse, we hope you will enjoy a rewarding relationship with your new pet.

Below are a number of things that will help you own a pet in Whitehorse.

Pet Registration and Microchipping

All cats and dogs over the age of 3 months must be registered at the address they live by 10 April every year.

Find out about registering a pet for the first time.

If your dog or cat is currently registered with another council you can transfer your pet's registration by submitting a new pet registration application and provide the appropriate supporting documentation.

You must also remember to update your contact details with your pet's microchip registry. This is not something Council does. Updating your pet's microchip details will help Council reunite you with your lost pet.

Exercising your Dog

Dogs must be kept on a leash at all times outside your property unless you visit one of the off-lead areas near you. Remember, when you are at the park your dog must be kept under control at all times.

When you exercise your dog on or off the leash, you must always pick up your dog's poop and dispose of it properly. 

Your Pets, Your Neighbours and You

The Victoria Law Foundation has produced a booklet about Dogs, Cats, Neighbours and You which is useful to read including your responsibilities to your pets and neighbours.

Keeping Multiple Pets

Limiting the number of pets on a property helps to ensure that your pets are kept in a healthy environment and that neighbours are not inconvenienced by your pets.

City of Whitehorse residents need to obtain a permit to keep more than a particular number of pets including dogs, cats and other animals on their property. You can apply for a permit online. If you have more animals that you are allowed without a permit, Council may issue you a fine.

Keeping Your Pet Under Control

Dog owners must have their dog on a lead in all public places, including while walking to the parks, on footpaths and in any other parks and reserves, unless it is a designated off-lead area. There are also places where dogs are not allowed to be at any time.

Cat owners need to keep their cats contained to their property particularly during the cat curfew hours between 8pm and 6am. This means you must make sure your cat cannot leave your property during these hours. There are also locations that cats are not allowed at any time. These are environmentally significant places. If you live near any of these locations you need to ensure that your cat cannot enter these places at any time. This might mean you may need to make your property escape proof for your cat.