It’s easy to register your dogs and cats, you can do it yourself in Dogs and Cats Online. There are easy reference guides on the Dog and Cat Management Board’s website if you need help. Registration is valid to 30th June annually with renewal notices issued each July to be paid by 31st August.  If you need assistance, please do not hesitate to call the Council and one of our friendly team members can help you over the phone.

Once you’ve registered your dog in Dogs and Cats Online, you’ll receive a registration certificate and a grey plastic disc with your dog’s registration number. Attach this disc to your dog’s collar. You only receive a disc once as your dog’s registration number stays with it for life. You may choose to engrave the registration number on a permanent metal disc with your name and phone number.

All cats must registered in Dogs and Cats Online. Cat registrations are free, but a late registration renewal fee may apply. Like dogs, cats must be microchipped and desexed too!  Your cat’s microchip number should be provided to you by your vet, microchip implanter, shelter or breeder.  If you don’t have a record of the microchip number, contact the vet, breeder or shelter where you bought or adopted it. You can also ask us about our scanning and microchipping service.

Although not mandatory we advocate for cats to be kept inside or at least contained to your own property.

Registered dog owners receive renewal notices each July with simple instructions for renewing directly in Dogs and Cats Online. You won’t be able to renew the registration until you’ve received your renewal notice. Contact us if you need assistance.  For those who would prefer to pay renewals or register in person, the service is still available at the Council Customer Service Centre or phone 8687 9177or dce@elliston.sa.gov.au.

Owners who’ve registered their cat in Dogs and Cats Online will receive a notice each July to remind them to log in and check their details are up-to-date and renew.

Council charges an annual registration fee for dogs:

• Standard Dog (microchipped and desexed) - $40.00
• Any other dog - $80.00
• Working livestock dog (microchipped) - $20.00
• Disc replacement - $10.00
• Assistance dogs Free
• Cats Free

Concession card holders are eligible for a 50% discounted registration fee.

The penalty for not registering your dog or cat is a $170.00 expiation fee.

It’s important you keep your details in Dogs and Cats Online up-to-date. If you move, you should update your address in Dogs and Cats Online. If your dog or cat dies, is missing for more than 72 hours, is given to a new owner, or is surrendered to the RSPCA or Animal Welfare League, you must notify council or update the record on your Dogs and Cats Online account. Choose ‘deceased’ or ‘lost’ from the ‘Animal Status’ drop-down menu on your pet’s record.

If your dog or cat goes to a new home, their registration must be transferred to the new owner. You’ll need to initiate a transfer in Dogs and Cats Online and give the transfer number to the new owner who then logs in to complete the transfer themselves. There are easy reference guides on the Dog and Cat Management Board’s website if you need help or call the Council for assistance.

All dogs and cats must be microchipped by 12 weeks of age (unless exempted by a vet—see the Dog and Cat Management Board for details).

Your local yet can do this for you or Council now has a certified microchip implanter who can microchip dogs and cats.  Call the Council to make an appointment time or your local vet.

All dogs and cats born after 1st July 2018 must be desexed by a registered veterinary surgeon before it is 6 months of age; or within 28 days after an owner takes possession of a puppy or kitten. Some exemptions can apply, visit the Dog and Cat Management Board website for details.  Desexing must only be carried out by a certified Veterinarian.

You can only keep 2 dogs or 2 cats on your property. If you wish to keep more, you must seek council’s approval.  An Application for Permit to Keep more than Two Dogs or Cats must be submitted to Council.

Dog By-Law No. 5 and Cat By-Law No. 7 can be found also on this website and set's out further regulations on dog and cat control in the District Council of Elliston.

Council's Dog and Cat Management Plan outlines the strategies used to promote responsible pet ownership within the District. Whilst ensuring the needs of animals and their owners are accommodated, Council recognises the differing needs of non pet owners.

There are laws which regulate breeding and selling dogs and cats in South Australia. The most significant are set out below. Visit the Dog and Cat Management Board website for further information.

• Breeders and sellers must adhere to the South Australian Standards and Guidelines for Breeding and Trading Companion Animals.
• Breeders intending to sell dogs or cats they have bred must register in Dogs and Cats Online.
• A dog or cat can’t be sold without a microchip.
• Dogs and cats must be desexed by six months of age.
• Any advertisement selling a dog or cat must include the seller and breeders’ contact details and breeder registration number.
• Sellers/breeders must provide specific information to purchasers, eg. seller and breeders’ details; breeders’ Dogs and Cats Online number; vaccination details; desexing details; microchip details; known illnesses or medical conditions; control order information (dogs)

All dogs bark, but some barking dogs become a real nuisance. Continuous barking can reduce people's quality of life and increase neighbourhood tensions.  Levels of noise and barking are tolerated differently between individuals.

Ongoing barking is often a symptom of another problem, such as frustration, loneliness, or boredom and understanding what makes your dog bark is the first step towards solving it.

Make sure your dog gets plenty of exercise, companionship and has a comfortable, safe, enclosed place to sleep. Obedience training may help stop dogs barking, but if this doesn’t work contact your vet or pet shop for advice. It is important to enrich your dog's world and provide activities that are suitable for the breed and age of your dog.

If your dog continues to create a persistent noise that interferes with the peace, comfort or convenience of your neighbours, you may be fined or have a Control (Barking Dog) Order placed on the dog.

Dogs are an important part of our local community but dogs that bark excessively can become a source of irritation for neighbours and others. Our best friend can, if it barks continually, become an intrusion and create friction between neighbours.

Approaching the dog’s owner in a neighbourly manner and discussing your concerns with them sometimes easily resolves this type of complaint. The dog’s owner may not realise that the barking is causing an annoyance to other people.

If you want to complain about animal noise, try to resolve the issue yourself by speaking with the person responsible for the noise. They may not be aware of the noise, and talking about it face-to-face might mean you can resolve it without getting anyone else involved.

If you are not comfortable approaching your neighbour, the Dear neighbour your dog is barking letter can be sent to your neighbours as a first step to resolve the issue.

If you can’t come to a compromise, and you want to lodge a formal complaint with us, you’ll need to complete a Registration of Animal Bird Noise Complaint and Log.

More helpful tips and information sheets for responsible ownership and happy pets can be found on the Dog and Cat Management Board website.  Go to www.dogandcatboard.com.au