Pet Ownership 

Responsible Pet Ownership

The City of Greater Geraldton promote responsible ownership, and the future health and welfare of dogs and cats is a key priority for the City of Greater Geraldton.

The WA State Government under the Stop Puppy Farming Act 2021 and the Cat Act 2011 is committed to implementing landmark reforms to stop puppy farming in WA to improve the health, wellbeing and protection of dogs across the State.

The new laws will prevent cruelty towards dogs and help families establish that their pets have come from legitimate, ethical and traceable sources. Under these new laws:

• there will be a centralised registration system, PetsWA, to improve traceability of dogs, puppies, breeders and owners and make registering your pet easier
• pet shops wanting to sell dogs and puppies would transition to adoption centres only able to sell rescue dogs
• dogs would be mandatorily sterilised unless exempt

New Registrations for Rescue Pets 

To support our local rescue groups and community and incentivise adopting not shopping– the City of Greater Geraldton will be implementing the following discounted registration fees for cats and dogs adopted through Midwest Cat Shelter and Geraldton Dog Rescue.

NEW DISCOUNTED PRICES FOR CATS AND DOGS ADOPTED FROM LOCAL RESCUE GROUPS – MID WEST CAT SHELTER OR GERALDTON DOG RESCUE ONLY.

 Dogs and cats that are too young to be sterilised when adopted from GDR or MWCS will be registered with the City of Greater Geraldton at full price for one year.
On presenting a sterilisation certificate, the owner, will then be entitled to a renewal of registration at either free 3 year sterilised or discounted lifetime registration.

Adopt a Rescue Pet?

Why adopt?

• every puppy, kitten, dog, and cat deserve a loving forever home
• with many dogs and cats in WA rescue organisations, you can find your perfect match
• pet adoption supports animal shelters and rescue services which are currently busier than ever
• rescue pets are desexed, microchipped, vaccinated and vet checked
• rescue pets provide companionship, unconditional love and bring joy to their new family
• rescue organisations have a wide variety of puppies, dogs, kittens and cats that can match your lifestyle needs

How to adopt

• search for animals available at local and WA rescue groups (Adopt, Don't Shop | DLGSC)
• make an appointment, call the rescue organisation, or lodge an application to adopt or discuss your preferred pet’s needs
• meet and get to know your prospective pet match before making your choice
• prepare your home and your family
• purchase the essentials — bedding, food, bowls, toys, a collar, leash
• welcoming a new pet into your home is an exciting time, but remember to be patient, everyone will take a while to settle into a new routine
• register your new pet with your local government

Preparing for a Pet

Consider:

• the long-term commitment of taking care of a pet for the rest of their life
• your lifestyle and the characteristics you are looking for in a pet and make sure you can meet the animal’s needs
• how to prepare your family and home for a new pet
• the financial investment needed to look after your fur-baby

Useful documents

Laws for Responsible Dog Owners brochure

Controlling your Dog Poster

Dangerous Dog Commercial Security Fact Sheet

Dangerous Dog Declared Fact Sheet

Dangerous Dog Restricted Fact Sheet

Keeping your dog safe from Parvovirus

Restricted Dog Breeds Information

Barking Dogs Procedure

Application forms are now located in our Online Forms section.

Approved off leash and dog restricted areas in the City

There are a number of areas across the City approved as leash free areas and others that are restricted from walking dogs, even if they are on a leash.  See the map: Dog Exercise Areas

Lost your pet?

Check the animals that are in the Dog and Cat Management Facility (Pound).

Pound open hours: 1-2pm 7 days a week.

Rangers contact: (08) 9956 6600

IMPORTANT: If you make an identification of your pet at the Dog and Cat Management Facility, you should contact the City's Rangers immediately on (08) 9956 6600 for information on how to release your animal.

Note: The City is required to keep dogs/cats without any identification for at least 72 hours before the animal becomes property of the Council. If the dogs/cats have identification the City is required to keep them for at least 7 days before the animal becomes property of the Council.

What do you do when your dog or cat is lost?

Pet owners can do the following to insure the safe return of their pet:

• Look around your neighbourhood and visit places your dog/cat would regularly visit such as the park. Also pay a visit to your local shopping centres and school
• Check with the Dog and Cat Management Facility to view online what pets are currently impounded
• Report your missing pet to the City Rangers on (08) 9956 6600
• Phone your vet
• Advertise in the paper, radio and social media
• Put notices up on shopping centre notice boards
• Keep on looking for several weeks, some people find a dog/cat and do not report it to Council straight away as they may be worried the animal could be destroyed.

What do you do when you’ve found a stray/lost pet?

All residents are encouraged to report all stray pets to City Rangers on (08) 9956 6600.

Animals needing adoption in Geraldton 

Geraldton Dog Rescue Mid-West Cat Shelter

Dog ownership

All dog owners have a responsibility to ensure their dogs are registered and are not left to wander in order to protect not only the safety of people, but dogs alike.

City Rangers are authorised to investigate all offenses under the Dog Act (1976) and conduct regular patrols throughout the City.

Impounded dogs will not be released from the Dog Management Facility (Pound) unless they are registered and micro-chipped.

More than two dog applications

The City of Greater Geraldton Dogs Local Law 2020 section 2.2(2) allows a limit of 2 dogs per premises. However the Dog Act 1976 section 26(3) allows the City to authorise the keeping of up to 6 dogs at any premises within the CGG district.

Please contact Ranger Services on 9956 6600 for further instructions.

Dog registration

All dogs over the age of three months must be:

• Registered
• Micro-chipped
• And wear a collar with registration tag.

The annual registration period runs from November 1 to October 31 the following year. All registrations can be made at the Geraldton Civic Centre on 63 Cathedral Avenue.

When registering your dog, please consider the following:

• Updating your contact details (address, telephone number and dog status) if recently changed, you must inform the council within 28 days by downloading an information update form from our Online Forms section.
• If you have relocated to Geraldton within Western Australia you can exchange your current registration tag for a City of Greater Geraldton tag
• Proof of sterilisation and micro-chipping is required, sterilisation certificates are provided by your veterinary surgeon for this purpose.

Dog registrations can now be renewed online. Click here to visit the Online Services page.

Please note that when transferring a cat or dog from another state, a new registration must be completed and submitted to the City Greater Geraldton.

Barking dogs

You are responsible for ensuring your dog is not a public nuisance by excessive barking. Severe penalties apply for breaches under the Dog Act (1976). Please consider the impact of your dog’s behaviour on your neighbours. 

For further information on this issue, contact the City Rangers on (08) 9956 6600.

Alternatively, you can download the Barking Dog Procedures document.

Dog attacks

The City takes dog attacks very seriously. If your dog attacks a person or animal, you will be held responsible even if you are not there during the time of the offence.

The penalty for a dog attack can be fines of up to $20,000, or even jail time. Attacks can include the following:

• An attempt to attack or behave in such a manner toward a person as would cause a reasonable person to fear physical injury

• Aggressively rushing towards victim

• Attempting to attack

• Tearing clothing

• Biting

• And causing any physical injury.

Dog owner responsibilities

As an owner, you have a number of responsibilities as outlined in the Dog Act (1976), which states owners must ensure their dog:

• Must be confined to the premises where it lives at all times
• Is held by a competent person capable of controlling a dog in public
• In designated areas, dogs may be exercised off a leash, however the person in control of the dog must carry a lead and restrain when required.

Cat Ownership

The new City of Greater Geraldton Cats Local Law 2020 limits the number of cats to 3 per residential premises.  

An “Application to Keep More than the Prescribed Number of Cats” can be applied for through the City.

If you already owned more than 3 registered cats before these laws were enacted you do not have to submit this application.

You will be allowed to retain your extra cats however they cannot be replaced without approval from the City.

Cat Registration

All cats over the age of six months must be:

• Sterilised
• Registered
• Micro-chipped
• And wear a collar with registration tag.

The annual registration period runs from November 1 to October 31 the following year. All registrations can be made at the Geraldton Civic Centre on 63 Cathedral Avenue.

When registering your cat, please consider the following:

• Updating your contact details (address, telephone number and cat status) if recently changed, you must inform the council within 28 days by submitting an information update form
• If you have relocated to Geraldton you can exchange your current registration tag for a City of Greater Geraldton tag
• Proof of sterilisation and micro-chipping is required, sterilisation certificates are provided by your veterinary surgeon for this purpose.

Cat registrations can now be renewed online. Click here to visit the Online Services page.

Cat owner responsibilities

As an owner, you have a number of responsibilities as outlined in the Cat Act (2011), which states owners must ensure their cat:

• Registered
• Wears a collar displaying the owners name and details with the Council registration tag.
• Sterilised
• Micro-chipped

The legislation will enable City Rangers to better manage unwanted and stray cats within the community and environment. It also promotes and encourages responsible ownership amongst residents and gives Local Council the authority and power to administer and enforce the legislation.