Animal Registration and Legislation

Animals play an important role in our community providing companionship and security. Anyone intending to own an animal in Townsville is legally liable and is always responsible for their pets. Visit Be a Responsible Pet Owner for more information.

Animal registrations and approvals

Registration and identification of pets in urban areas is important for owner's peace of mind, and to enable Council to plan for future community needs. In Townsville, all dogs must be registered each year and wear a registration tag, and cats require an approval that is renewed each year. For a full list of required animal approvals and associated applications, please refer below.

Animal management local laws apply to the Townsville City Council local government area. These local laws set out minimum standards for keeping pets and other animals in the Townsville local government area, and also prescribe the types of approvals needed for the keeping of various animals.

Council officers monitor compliance with the local laws, and also monitor some requirements under the Animal Management (Cats and Dogs) Act 2008, for example, registration, microchipping and regulated dogs.

For information on animal fees and charges, please visit Council's Fees and Charges page.

DogsDog - thumbnail

The Animal Management (Cats and Dogs) Act 2008 requires all dogs to be registered.

New dog registration

All dogs, including puppies, must be registered within 14 days of acquisition or moving to Townsville, and wear a registration tag. Annual dog registration costs differ depending on whether the dog is desexed or entire, and whether the owner is eligible for a pensioner concession or reciprocal council registration.

Reciprocal registration is a transfer of the balance of the current year's registration of an animal from one local government area to another. You still need to complete a dog registration form, but there is no fee to register in the current registration period. You will need to use the PDF form if applying for reciprocal dog registration.

Annual registration and approvals need to be renewed by 31 August each year.

Dog registration renewalsDog - Registration Image

Registration renewals will be mailed out in August of each year. Annual registration needs to be renewed by 31 August each year.

To renew a dog registration online, you MUST have received a renewal notice from Townsville City Council, as this will have a reference number you will need to use.

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Cat approvals

Cat owners must apply for approval to keep a cat on their property. A cat approval is for one to two cats per property.

The cost for an annual cat approval (for one or two cats) differs depending on whether the owner is eligible for a pensioner concession or reciprocal council approval.

Reciprocal approval is a transfer of the balance of the current year's approval or registration of an animal from one local government area to another. You still need to complete a cat approval application form, but there is no fee for the current annual approval period.

If you wish to keep more than two cats, you must apply for approval, either for three to six cats, or for a cattery.

Approval for three to six cats is dependent on your property meeting the animal management local law requirements. These approvals are for three years.

Approval for a cattery (more than six cats) is dependent on your property meeting the animal management local law requirements. These approvals need to be renewed annually.

Cat approval renewalsCat - Registration Image

Approval renewals will be mailed out in August of each year. Annual approval needs to be renewed by 31 August each year.

To renew a cat approval online, you MUST have received a renewal notice from Townsville City Council, as this will have a reference number you will need to use.

Changes to registration, approval or ownership

To amend a current registration (e.g. the animal has been desexed, has died or has changed owners), please complete the appropriate form below.

In some circumstances, you may be eligible to receive a partial refund of your dog registration, e.g. the animal is now desexed, or you are now a pensioner concession card holder.

Birds and poultry

Horses, pigs and other livestock

Minimum standards for animal keeping