Pet registration fees waived by South Perth in bid to encourage ‘responsible’ pet owners
The City of South Perth has announced its newest tactic to encourage residents to become more responsible pet owners.
Registration fees for some pets will be waived this financial year.
The city’s pet registration renewal is due Oct. 31, but the lifetime registration fee for neutered dogs and cats will be waived this year.
One-year registrations of dogs that have not been neutered will also be canceled in order to encourage owners to have them neutered next year. For three-year or lifetime registrations, fees will apply for dogs that have not been neutered.
In WA, it is mandatory for dogs over the age of three months to be microchipped and registered. Cats over six months old must be microchipped, neutered and registered with the local authority.
While new data from Companion Animal Network reveals fewer animals entering shelters and foster care in 2024-25 and adoption numbers falling, a shelter in South Perth said the situation was very different.
Jess Sackmann, president of Swan Animal Haven, said that although the pet adoption rate remained steady, the number of animals surrendered was “extreme” and the shelter was “completely overwhelmed.”
Physical kennel space is suffering, with Ms Sackmann saying people have become “desperate” to give up their dogs, resulting in shelters having to turn dogs away and put them on a waiting list.
