Pet owners to prepare for rego

CHARTERS Towers Regional Council is urging the region’s dog owners to ensure their details with council are up to date.

Council will start issuing dog registration renewal notices in early June.

Councillor Bernie Robertson, whose portfolio includes animal management, said pet owners could take advantage of a discount if they registered their dogs before July 30.

“They can receive up to 50 per cent discount, although some conditions apply,” Cr Robertson said.

“Registration and microchipping are compulsory for dogs over the age of 12 weeks and penalties can apply for owners who don’t register and microchip their animal.”

The fees collected from registrations help to offset the cost of animal management in the Charters Towers region.

“Those costs include returning or rehoming pets; educating pet owners; and enforcing local laws around issues like dog attacks, barking, and wandering dogs,” Cr Robertson said.

“Registering dogs makes it easier for council’s rangers to return your animal if they do escape.”

Cr Robertson said dog owners could also save on registration fees if they desexed their animal.

“Council is again supporting RSPCA’S Operation Wanted program this year,” he said.

“It’s available for both cat and dog owners in the region.

“Pet owners can save 20 per cent on desexing their animals during June, July and August.”

For details on dog registrations go to charterstowers.qld.gov.au or for Operation Wanted operationwanted.com.au.