Door knock ambassadors will soon be visiting properties in Cardinia Shire on behalf of Council to help residents with pet registrations.
For 2 weeks from Saturday 8 June, trained and licensed Regi-Check ambassadors will be visiting homes to deliver an education campaign on the importance of registering pets, and the benefits of having a registered pet.
All cats and dogs over 3 months old must be registered with Council and microchipped, as required by State Government regulations. Pet registration must be renewed by 10 April each year.
The ambassadors will be carrying official identification and will not be asking residents for money or issuing fines, and signage will be placed in areas where the door knocking is being carried out.
Cardinia Shire Mayor, Councillor Jack Kowarzik, hopes that the door knocking campaign will help educate new pet owners about responsible pet ownership, and assist owners of previously registered pets with re-registering.
"Our pets are like members of the family, and I know how stressful it is when they get out and wander away from home," Mayor Kowarzik said.
"Having your pet registered with Council helps our Compliance Team reunite lost or roaming animals, and helps to avoid our pets taking unnecessary trips to the pound if an owner can't be found right away."
It's important that pets are wearing their registration tags, and that you ensure registration details are kept updated with current contact information, including your phone number and address, so that Council can reach you as soon as possible if your pet is found roaming.
While the door knocking campaign encourages cooperation from pet owners, owners who do not register their cats and dogs may face fines of $395 per animal, with even higher penalties if the animals are impounded. Properties identified with animals by door knock ambassadors during the campaign will be followed up by Council's Compliance Officers at a later date.
