Dog registration FAQs

All dogs in Queensland must be registered with Council from 12 weeks old. This is a Queensland Government requirement.

The main reason for registering your dog though is so Council has your details and can return your pet if they become lost.

Owners who don't register their pets can be fined $266.

Your registration fees are used to fund Council pet-related services such as:

• Caring for lost pets at the pound
• Providing and maintaining dog off-leash areas including free dog poo bags
• Handling animal-related complaints and investigations
• Funding our school visit program to teach kids about being great pet owners
• Providing a range of free activities for pet owners such as workshops on problem behaviour a

Dog registration fees:

• Fund the pound
• Provide and maintain dog off-leash areas including providing free dog poo bags
• Contribute to handling of animal-related complaints and investigations
• Fund our school visit program to teach kids about being great pet owners
• Allow us to provide a range of free activities for pet owners such as workshops on problem behaviour a

• Dog registration must be renewed each year on 1 July (see fees).
• From 2017, you will receive a lifetime registration tag. You will continue to pay an annual renewal fee as normal, but you will not receive a new tag or registration certificate.

In July 2017, Council introduced lifetime tags for registered dogs.

This means the green registration tag you receive when you first register your pet (from 1 July 2017) will remain with your dog for the life of your pet.

Renewal notices will continue to be sent out each year, but you will not receive a new tag or registration certificate upon renewal.

Council issues more than 30,000 tags each year so lifetime registration ensures these tags don't end up in landfill.

If you lose your registration tag you can contact Council by phone on 1300 69 22 47 or email regadmin@cairns.qld.gov.au to arrange a replacement. There is no charge for replacing your tag.

You can request to receive renewals by email:

• via our online form
• contact Council by email at regadmin@cairns.qld.gov.au
• phone (07) 4044 3293.

• Yes, you are required to register your dog within 14 days of moving to the Cairns Regional Council area.
• You should contact your previous Council to advise your dog is no longer in their local government area.
• There are no reciprocal arrangements with other Councils so you will need to register your dog when you move to the Cairns Regional Council area and pay the full registration fee.

All dogs need to be registered with Cairns Regional Council under Queensland legislation. You must also keep your registration details up to date.

Moving to Cairns

You will need to register your pet with Council within 14 days of relocating to the region, and pay the relevant registration fee.

You should also cancel your registration at the local government area you are leaving.

It is not possible to simply 'transfer' your registration (and fees already paid) to Cairns Regional Council.

Don't forget to also update your microchip details (via the microchip database you are signed up to).

Moving to another part of the Cairns Regional Council area

If you are moving home within the region, please notify Council within 7 days of any changes to your dog registration details. You can do this via:

• update your animal registration details online
• download a printable Dog and Cat Registration form ( PDF, 0.22 MB )
• email regadmin@cairns.qld.gov.au

If you are leaving the Cairns region, you may need to register your dog with a new council.

Provided the online application is complete and any supporting documentation required is supplied, your registration tag and certificate should arrive within 14 days.

• A multiple dwelling or dual occupancy premise = 1 dog
• Single dwelling < 450m2  = 1 dog
• Single dwelling > 450m2  = 2 dog
• If you wish to have more dogs, you can apply for an excess permit ( PDF, 0.06 MB )

You should notify Council within 7 days of any changes to your dog registration details. You can do this via:

• update your animal registration details online
• download a printable Dog and Cat Registration form ( PDF, 0.22 MB )
• email regadmin@cairns.qld.gov.au

For deceased animals, pro-rata refunds will only be issued if the request is received by Council in writing within 3 months of the registration date.

Refunds will not be considered for any reason other than deceased animals.

You should notify Council within 7 days of any changes to your dog registration details so that a new tag can be issued.  You can do this via:

• update your animal registration details online
• download a printable Dog and Cat Registration form ( PDF, 0.22 MB )
• email regadmin@cairns.qld.gov.au