Responsible pet ownership

Ask yourself the following questions:

• Am I prepared to care for a pet for its whole life? The average age is 12 years.
• Can I afford the many thousands of dollars for the life of the pet? Consider costs such as veterinary, desexing, vaccinations, registration, and food.
• Do I understand how to care for a pet?
• Do I have time to care for a pet?
• Do I live in suitable accommodation with adequate space for a pet?
• Will a pet fit into my lifestyle and priorities?
• If I have to move residence, will I be able to take my pet with me, and will the new residence be suitable for the type and breed of pet that I am considering?

If not, perhaps pet ownership is not an option for you at this time. Before making a decision, you might like to volunteer with a local animal welfare group and consider fostering cats or dogs for some time to determine what is right for you and your family.

Carefully consider the following:

• Breed;
• Size;
• Grooming;
• Exercise requirements;
• Temperament; and
• Hygiene requirements.
• Puppies and active breeds can require additional training.
• Do not impulsively buy a cute puppy.

Complete information regarding registering, desexing, barking, hearing or assistance dogs, dog attacks and dangerous dogs can be found here, or view the fact sheet below.

Requirements for keeping dogs on the Fraser Coast

Making sure your pet is registered and microchipped will ensure your pet is returned home quickly if it happens to escape the yard.

Registration

• It is mandatory for dogs 12 weeks and over to be registered.
• The registration tag must be worn on the collar at all times.
• Owners of unregistered animals face heavy fines and spot checks are carried out by Council officers.
   

If a pet is unregistered or not microchipped, and the owner cannot be found after three days, the animal is assessed for suitability of re-housing and in Hervey Bay offered to the Fraser Coast Adoption Centre. The animal may also end up being offered to one of the other Fraser Coast Animal Welfare groups.

When a dog is registered, every effort is made to reunite the animal with its owner. Sadly in some circumstances, the owner cannot be found. In these cases, after seven days the animal will be assessed for suitability of re-housing following the same re-homing process as for unregistered animals above.

For further information refer to Animal Registration.

Microchipping

Microchipping of cats and dogs is compulsory before sale/transfer and upon reaching 12 weeks of age.

If your pet becomes lost, you are far more likely to be reunited if it is microchipped. A tag with contact details attached to your pet’s collar also assists with bringing it home.

You will need to provide the microchip number to us for inclusion on your animal's record. You can register your microchip via our online form, here. It is important that your animal's microchip details are up to date. You can check this via Pet Address

A cat must be desexed before it is 22 weeks of age unless the following circumstances below apply:

• there is a signed veterinarian surgeon certificate for the cat stating that desexing is likely to be a serious risk to the health of the animal;
• the owner or responsible person for the cat is the owner or operator of a pound or shelter;
• is a member of a recognised breeder association and the person intends to breed from the cat. A breeder application must be submitted to Council for approval.
• is a member of a registered show association and the person intends to show from the cat.

A desexed pet is generally:

• more content;
• less aggressive;
• has fewer health problems; and
• does not contribute to the production of excess dogs and cats which may later be euthanized.
• Financial assistance to desex animals may be available via the National Desexing Network.

Animal Desexing Reimbursement Incentive

Council has adopted the Animal Desexing Reimbursement Incentive Policy to provide reimbursement of some costs associated with the desexing of cats and dogs.  

The policy provides eligible persons with a desexing reimbursement of $50 for cats and $100 for dogs.

Application form Information sheet

To apply, please complete the application form and submit with all required supporting documentation at Council's Customer Service Centres or by emailing to enquiry@frasercoast.qld.gov.au.

It is important that Council has your current contact information. Should your pet escape the yard, this allows us to contact you to reunite you with your pet as quickly as possible. It may also eliminate your pet being impounded.

Please advise Council if you change your address or contact details, by completing the online form below or visiting one of Council’s Customer Service Centres.

Online animal forms

Remember to also notify the Microchipping organisation of any change to your details, Council does not do this. 

Health

Consult your veterinarian about feeding, parasite control, vaccination, microchipping and desexing.

Enclosures

Provide an adequate shelter with shade and have a fence/enclosure that is sturdy, well-built, and appropriate to prevent your pet from leaving the property.

Dogs in koala habitat areas should be confined to an area or tied up at night when koalas are active.

For more information refer to Koala Mapping.

Exercise and leashes

A dog should be exercised at least once a day to maintain physical and mental well-being.

When your dog is not on your property, it must be on a leash, unless in a designated ‘off-leash’ area.

For locations and times, refer to the Dog off-leash areas webpage or call 1300 79 49 29. 

Always clean up after your pet, it is an offence to leave your pet’s droppings in a public place.

In the Fraser Coast you are permitted to have:

To apply for additional animals, visit our Animal Registration page. An application fee is applicable.

For the keeping of other animals please refer to the Prohibitions and Restrictions Fact Sheet.

Are you a foster carer? Foster carers are required to be part of a registered animal charity.  The Foster carer can have a maximum of 8 animals per property made up of no more than 4 dogs or 4 cats – this does include their own animals.  Dogs in foster care are required to be registered with the foster carer being recorded as an Alternative Contact on a New Animal Registration Form and the Rescue/Refuge group as the Animal Owner.  The Fraser Coast Adoption Centre does not offer foster care, if you are interested in fostering, please reach out to one of the local rescue groups.

Cat registration is not required on the Fraser Coast.

Cat traps are available for hire from the Fraser Coast Adoption Centre, call 1300 79 49 29.

When natural disasters occur, these can cause severe disruption to communities and properties, and during these times pets are dependent on us for their health, well-being, and happiness.

Are you prepared in case of a natural disaster, and do you have an emergency plan in place for you and your pets?

View our information sheet for preparations you can make before, during and after an emergency.