Responsible Pet Ownership

Having a pet brings companionship, fun and a lot of special moments but it also comes with responsibilities.  

Being a responsible pet owner helps keep animals healthy and happy, reduces nuisance issues, and ensures everyone in the community can enjoy their neighbourhood. 

Hinchinbrook Shire Council supports responsible pet ownership by helping residents understand their legal requirements, their responsibilities as owners, and how to be good neighbours while caring for their pets.  

Your responsibilities as a pet owner 

As a pet owner, you are responsible for: 

  • Providing appropriate care, shelter, exercise and veterinary treatment; 

  • Ensuring your pet does not threaten the health or safety of people or other animals; 

  • Preventing nuisance behaviour such as wandering or excessive noise; 

  • Complying with registration, identification and microchipping requirements; and  

  • Keeping animals appropriately contained on your property. 

Council reminds all animal owners that they have a duty of care and legal obligation to ensure that their animals are adequately controlled at all times and do not cause harm or nuisance to members of the public.  

Read the Minimum Standards Required for Keeping Dogs fact sheet(PDF, 96KB) to ensure you know your full responsibilities.  

Animal management laws 

The keeping and management of cats and dogs in Queensland is regulated under the Animal Management (Cats and Dogs) Act 2008, which has been in force in Hinchinbrook since 1 July 2010. 

The legislation places responsibility on pet owners and includes: 

  • Mandatory registration of dogs over three months of age; 

  • Mandatory microchipping at point of sale or transfer; and 

  • Mandatory microchipping of all dogs and cats acquired since 10 April 2009. 

Council also regulates and enforces its Local Laws relating to animal keeping, nuisance and control. 

For full detail regarding Council’s Local Laws, please refer to Current Local Laws for detailed requirements. (put to new link) 

Registration, renewal and fees 

All dogs over three months of age (including rural dogs) must be registered with Council, unless they meet the definition of a working dog. Please see the below section “Working Dogs”, to identify what a working dog is under the Animal Management (Cats and Dogs) Act 2008. 

Registering your dog helps: 

  • Quickly reunite you with your pet if it becomes lost; 

  • Maintain accurate records to support animal welfare and compliance; and 

  • Plan and deliver animal services for the community. 

How to register your dog

You’ll need to register your dog if it is over three months old or has been newly acquired. 

Step 1: Gather your information  

Have the following ready: 

  • Proof of microchipping; 

  • Your contact details; and 

  • Any supporting documents (e.g. desexing certificate, if applicable). 

Step 2: Complete the registration form  

  • Council staff can assist you with completing the form if needed either by visiting our Lannercost Street Office in Ingham or call (07) 4776 4600. 

Step 3: Submit your registration  

All new dog registrations must be submitted in person at the Council office.  

Step 4: Pay the registration fee  

Once your application is accepted, registration fees must be paid before the dog is registered. Registration renewals can be paid online via the How to Pay page.   

Registration renewals

  • Renewal notices are issued mid to late June each year; 

  • Registrations must be renewed by 31 July; 

Discounts may apply for:  

  • Early renewal; 

  • Microchipped dogs; or 

  • Desexed dogs (proof required). 

Fees and payments 

For current costs relating to: 

  • Animal registration; 

  • Impoundment and associated pound fees;  

  • Adoption fees. 

To pay registration renewals or other animal‑related fees online: How to Pay

If you need help completing a form or updating your animal’s details, Council staff can assist over the phone or at the Council office by calling (07) 4776 4600.

 

Working dogs

Under the Act a working dog is a dog that: 

  • usually kept or proposed to be on rural land; 

  • is owned by a person who is a primary producer or engaged or employed by a primary producer; 

  • is primarily used or being trained for the purpose of droving, protecting, tending or working stock. This excludes a Regulated Dog. 

Evidence is required to confirm working‑dog status, including statutory declarations and supporting documentation. 

Microchipping

Microchipping is a safe and permanent method of pet identification. 

Microchipping is mandatory for: 

  • All cats and dogs born on or after 10 April 2009 and before they reach 12 weeks of age (animals should be older than 8 weeks of age); 

  • Animals which have changed ownership, being sold or given away; and 

  • Declared regulated dogs (e.g. declared dangerous or menacing). 

Although cats are no longer required to be registered with Council, microchipping of cats is still mandatory. 

Pet owners must: 

  • Keep microchip details up to date with the microchip registry; and 

  • Notify Council of changes to ownership or contact details.  

Barking dogs

Barking is a natural behaviour, but excessive barking can become a nuisance. 

Dogs may bark due to: 

  • Boredom or lack of exercise; 

  • Being left alone; 

  • Territorial behaviour; and/or  

  • Visual or noise triggers. 

Ways to reduce barking include: 

  • Adequate daily exercise and mental stimulation; 

  • Training and socialisation; 

  • Reducing visual triggers using fencing or screening; and/or 

  • Working cooperatively with neighbours to resolve issues early. 

Please refer to Council’s Barking Dog Complaints Factsheet(PDF, 269KB)  which outlines how to lodge a formal complaint, Council’s processes and action.  

Any barking dog complaint which is received by Council must accompany a completed Animal Nuisance Diary(PDF, 123KB).  

  • completed over a 2-week period, which is to be completed with actual times and dates of the dog’s barking; and  

  • must be verified by another witness (neighbour or alike). 

Please note, if you lodge a complaint to Council without the supporting Animal Nuisance Diary, Council will direct you to complete and return the diary in the first instance, as Council is unable to process a complaint without sufficient supporting evidence.  

If you have questions regarding the Animal Nuisance Diary or associated evidence collection, please contact Council on (07) 4776 4600.  

 

Click here to view form.

Keeping of animals

Limits on the number and type of animals allowed on a property depend on: 

  • Property size and zoning; and 

  • Species and number of animals.  

Some animals require an Approval to Keep, which may involve an annual fee. 

For full details and specifics regarding the general keeping of animals, including the local laws requirements for various species of animals, please review the Current Local Laws, specifically Subordinate Local Law 2 – Animal Management 2012.  

Early consultation  

Prior to taking on an animal, please contact Council on (07) 4776 4600, to confirm the standard requirements, allowances and permit requirements for keeping of animals in the Hinchinbrook Shire.  

 

Need help or advice?  

Call (07) 4776 4600 or email us council@hinchinbrook.qld.gov.au for more information. 

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