Dog registration, renewal & change of details

Under Council's Local Laws, the number of dogs you are allowed to keep is based on the size of your property.

If you are renting, you may need your landlord's permission to have pets, while those living in units or apartments may need Body Corporate approval.

More pets

If you wish to keep more dogs than automatically allowed you need to apply to Council for an "excess permit ( PDF, 0.35 MB )".

We consider excess permits on a case-by-case basis.

A Council officer will discuss your application with you and will inspect your property to establish suitability.There are costs associated with keeping 'excess' pets.

• Application fee: $304
• Annual registration fee (see below)
• Annual excess permit renewal fee: $269.50

All dogs in Cairns must be registered from the age of 12 weeks or within 14 days of moving to the region. Only 1 person aged 18+ can be recognised as a registered owner. You are also required to microchip your pet.

Council issues a 'life-time' tag for your pooch, so there's no need to get a new tag each year. If it becomes lost or damaged we will replace it for you at no cost. You can request a replacement registration tag online.

New registration

You can register your pet online, or in person.

• Register online
• Print out a dog registration form ( PDF, 0.3 MB ) and take it to one of one of our Customer Service Centres

Please note, you must use a printed form for aged pensioner, farm dog or registered security dog registrations.

Renew registration

Registration is due annually on 31 July. We will send you a renewal notice in July, or you can sign up to receive your dog rego renewal notice by email.

You can:

• Renew your rego online
• Take your rego renewal notice to a Customer Service Centre

Transfer ownership for animal registration

To submit a change of ownership for your pet, please complete the Transfer of ownership for animal registration form ( PDF, 0.17 MB ).

Rego fees

Fees and charges for the 2025/26 financial year.

*Introductory fee is for 1 year only

**Pensioner means that you hold a Centrelink Concession Card or a Department of Veteran Affairs Gold Card but you are not 65 years or older.

***Aged pensioner means that you are 65 or older and hold a Centrelink Concession Card or a Department of Veteran Affairs Gold Card. Your dogs must also be microchipped and desexed to be eligible for your Free Dog Registration.  Aged pensioners must renew their dog registration every three (3) years.

It's important to keep your registration details up to date. This makes sure you are paying the right rego fee, and that if your pet is lost, we can quickly return them to you.

It's equally important to keep your microchip details up to date. Council can not update your microchip details for you, so if your circumstances change, please contact the relevant microchip register.

Change of details

We need to know if:

• You have changed your name
• You have moved to a new address in the Cairns Regional Council area
• You have a new phone number or email address
• Your dog has been desexed (cheaper rego)
• Your dog has completed Level 3 obedience training (cheaper rego)
• You are eligible for a pensioner or aged pensioner discount

You can update your details online, by emailing regadmin@cairns.qld.gov.au (please provide your rego number) or in person at a Customer Service Centre

Please note, it is not possible to transfer your registration from another Council. A new registration is required if you are moving to the Cairns Regional Council area.

Cancel your dog rego

If you have left the Cairns Regional Council area or your pooch has passed away, let us know online, by emailing regadmin@cairns.qld.gov.au or in person at a Customer Service Centre