Lost dogs are to find their way home faster following new legislation requiring all dog owners to update their details annually.
Minister for City Services, Chris Steel said the new annual dog registration would see a digital dog database created to provide up to date information on where dogs lived and who owned them.
“The new system will improve the information we have about dogs in the ACT, ensuring we can contact owners quickly if lost or roaming dogs need to be returned to their families,” Mr Steel said.
“It will also allow the Government to deliver better education and services to pet owners and manage dangerous dogs to help prevent and respond to dog attacks,” he said.
“The new system will address challenges with the current lifetime registration system, where 95 per cent of roaming dogs that are retrieved have out of date registration information such as an incorrect phone number or address.”
Mr Steel said there were currently no triggers for owners to update their information when they moved; if ownership of the dog was transferred to someone else; or if the dog had passed away.
The Minister said that from 1 July, dog owners would receive an annual registration reminder notice in the form of an email, text or letter from Domestic Animal Services.
He said the reminder would be provided at least 14 days prior to the dog’s renewal date and would be based on the date they were first registered in the ACT.
“Importantly, dog owners can update their registration details before the 1 July start date; this will allow us to easily contact you when your dog’s registration falls due in the first 12 months of the system,” Mr Steel said.
Further information on the new annual dog registration process, including how to update a dog’s registration details, can be accessed at this PS News link.
