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Dog and Cat Ownership Tips

Lead the way: dog and cat laws and requirements

Border Collie

Dogs and cats are wonderful companions and great pets.

More than 3,000 dogs and cats live in the City of Norwood Payneham & St Peters.

We’re asking residents to lead the way in being responsible pet owners.

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Lead the Way Videos

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How to lead the way to responsible dog and cat ownership

Register your dog

Dog registrations must be renewed by 31 August each year.

Please wait to receive a renewal notice from the Council before registering your dog.

All dogs must be registered online at Dogs & Cats Online.

To register your dog, visit: Dogs & Cats Online

If you need help registering you dog online, visit the Council’s customer service team at Norwood Town Hall or any of our three libraries

Microchip your dog and/or cat

All dogs and cats must be microchipped by law.

Vets, councils and shelters can use the microchip to find out your contact details should your pet get lost. This is why it’s important that they’re kept up to date.

Contact your vet about microchipping or ChipBlitz offer microchipping for $10.

For more information, visit: Chip Blitz

Have your dog and/or cat desexed

Dogs and cats born after 1 July 2018 must be desexed once they are old enough. This can be done by a registered vet.

If your pet is born before 1 July 2018, they do not need to be desexed, but it is recommended to help pets stay healthier and reduce the amount of unwanted litters.

Some dogs are exempt from desexing laws.

For more information, visit Dogs & Cats Online

Keep your dog on a leash in public places

Dogs must be on their leash in all public places, other than designated off-leash areas.

There are 10 off-leash areas in parks and reserves across the City where you can let your dog off its leash.

Please keep your dog under effective control when in the off-leash areas.

Visit: Dog Off-leash Areas

Keep your dog under effective control

Make sure your dog is under your effective control, especially in public.

You must use a leash (no longer than 2 metres) and voice commands to control your dog.

When in an off-leash area, you must stay in close proximity to your dog and you should be able to see them at all times.

Secure your property to keep your dog safe

Keep your dog secure and safe on your property.

Securing your property with fencing can help stop your dog from escaping and wandering at large.

Dogs wandering at large are often distressed and a risk to themselves and the community.

Try to prevent your dog from barking

Barking is a dog’s way of communicating but excessive barking can become a nuisance.

To find out what to do if a dog is barking excessively, visit: Dog Barking

Scoop the poop

Certified compostable dog bags are now available in all of our parks and reserves

Clean up after your dog responsibly. Take compostable dog poo bags with you when you walk your dog, to make sure you don’t get caught out!

The Council has made the switch to certified compostable dog poo bags which are much better for the environment.

Unlike degradable and biodegradable plastic bags, these bags are made from fully compostable corn starch.

Because the new bags are certified compostable they can be placed in your green lid bin along with the dog poo and eventually converted to compost.

If you are unable to take the used bag home, please place in an outdoor bin provided by the Council.

You can identify a compostable bag by the compostable certification seed symbol.


Why the Council changed to compostable bags


From 1 March 2021 the State Government’s Single-use Plastic Legislation came into effect, banning single use plastic bags.


To comply with the new legislation and further its commitment to environmental sustainability, the Council transitioned from the black degradable plastic bags it had been using to fully compostable bags.

2019 2024 Dog Cat Management Plan thumbDog & Cat Management Plan

The Dog & Cat Management Plan includes strategies to manage dogs and cats and sets out the Council’s responsibilities over a five year period.

For more information:

Visit: Dog & Cat Management Plan