Keeping Pets

Last modified: October 21, 2009 - 1:51 PM

Pets are welcome in the Cootamundra Shire area.

Cootamundra Shire Council recognises that many people enjoy the companionship of various kinds of pets.

Pet ownership also brings with it a number of responsibilities. To ensure pets are not a nuisance to the community or other animals, owners are required to make sure they respect the Companion Animals Act 1998.

For any queries relating to the keeping of pets in the Council area, or for animal shelter inquiries, please contact Janelle Bailey on 69402117 or Glen McAtear on 0428 288478.

Click here for Petcare Information & Advisory Services

Fees & Charges

*Lifetime Registration Fees for cats and dogs are:

$15 for an animal that has been sterilised, and owned by a Pensioner, (pension card must be shown and sterilisation certificate required)
$40 for a Sterilised animal, sterilisation certificate required)
$40 Recognised breeder, Proof Required
$150 Non-sterilised animal
Assistance Animals are Free

Any person wishing to register a dog or cat can do so at the Council Chambers on the corner of Wallendoon & Cooper Streets during business hours.

You will need to have the animal microchipped PRIOR to registration and bring with you any necessary documentation such as microchip details, sterilisation certificate, breeder's card or pension card. Please note that microchipping is not registration.

Impounded Companion Animals

Impounding fee (1st time) $21.00
Impounding fee (2nd time in 12 months) $41.00
Maintenance (per day or part thereof) $11.40

Animal Pound & Ranger Information

If your animal is impounded, it will be kept for 14 days if the animal is microchipped, if the animal is not microchipped and nobody has come forward to claim ownership, then the animal can only be kept for 7 days.

Animals can be released between the hours of 9.00am - 4.00pm Monday to Friday (Public Holidays excluded) by contracting the Office on 69402117.

Release fees have to be paid at the Council Office before any animal can be released. If the animal is not registered, it has to be microchipped and registered as part of the release. If a dog has multiple impoundings "on the spot" fines will be applied.

To retrieve your animal from the pound you will also need to provide suitable personal identification; eg drivers licence, breeder's card, pension card and any other appropriate documentation for your animal eg sterilisation certificate, microchipping form.

It is an offence to steal, remove or rescue any animal from a pound.

Dogs

Dog owners have a particular responsibility to ensure their pets are not a nuisance.

The requirements for owning and keeping a dog are clearly set out in the Companion Animals Act 1998.

Registration, Off-Leash Areas, Barking, General Care, Lost & Found.

* Microchip your dog at 12 weeks of age or point of sale/exchange, whichever comes first.

* Register your dog by 6 months of age.

* Walk your dog on a lead, except in "off leash" areas.

* Keep your dog quiet.

* Keep your dog in your yard.

* Keep our public places clean.

* Don't let your dog attack or frighten people or animals. Remember, dogs left in the back of open utility vehicles in public must be tethered in such a way as to prevent them from attacking or worrying any person passing by.

* You must not take a dog within 10 metres of any playground apparatus located in a public place or apparatus used for the preparation or consumption of food by humans.

Also, you must not take your dog into school grounds or child care centres. Breaches of the requirements of the Act may result in a fine from State Debt Recovery Office (SDRO). Fines range from $110.00 on the spot, up to a possible court imposed fine of $11,000.00.

Council's Rangers and The Compliance Officer handle enquires regarding the following animal issues:

* Roaming/straying dogs * Dogs off leash * Barking dogs * Dogs in prohibited areas eg School grounds, children's playgrounds, food preparation areas. * Nuisance dogs/cats * Dog attacks

Information can be telephoned through to Council's Office on (02) 69 402117.

Patrol

Rangers undertake regular patrols of Cootamundra and surrounding villages to monitor animal management issues. Rangers do not pick up stray dogs after hours.

Rangers can be contacted on 0417 465228.

Off Leash Dog Areas

Behind the old Hospital, Mackay Street, and Bradman Oval.

Dog Socialisation