The new legislation includes four key components:

• Compulsory registration of all cats and dogs over the age of 12 weeks, with the exception of genuine working dogs;
• Compulsory micro-chipping of all new cats and dogs, and cats and dogs at point of sale and transfer, irrespective of age;
• Compulsory tattooing for desexed cats and dogs and discounted registration fees for desexed pets;
• A state-wide system for keeping declared dangerous, menacing or restricted dogs, known as regulated dogs including compulsory micro-chipping.

As part of a phasing-in process (Stage 1 and Stage 2), certain provisions of the Animal Management (Cats and Dogs) Act 2008 started to take effect from 1 July, 2009 for all local governments in Queensland and other provisions are being introduced from 10 December, 2010.

Stage 1(a) State-wide implementation for all local governments:

From 1 July, 2009 the following legislative provisions will apply:

• Dangerous and menacing dogs;
• Restricted dogs, which have been removed from the Local Government Act and inserted in the new Act;
• A requirement for micro-chip implanters to be registered with the State Government;
• Current local laws about dogs remain in force until such time as the new laws take effect;

Stage 1(b) – Local Government implementation:

For those local governments within the defined south east region of local governments the new laws as of 1 July, 2009 are in force, which include:-

• compulsory registration of cats and dogs, with the exception of genuine working dogs;
• compulsory micro-chipping of young cats and dogs or when transferring ownership of cats and dogs irrespective of their age;
• compulsory tattooing for voluntarily desexed cats and dogs.

Stage 2 – For local governments outside the south east region of local governments:

The remaining local governments across the state will have until 10 December, 2010 to fully implement all aspects of the new legislation.

What does this mean for residents of the South Burnett Regional Council?
The South Burnett Regional Council falls within the Stage 2 implementation phase and accordingly the following will apply:

• Stage 1(a) requirements came into effect as of 1 July, 2009.
• As Council is outside the defined south-east region of local governments’ Stage 1(b) requirements will not apply until 10 December, 2010 at the latest.

To facilitate a smooth transition to Stage 2, Council will be conducting information sessions and seeking comment from the public on the implementation of the new laws. 

Whilst Council has no power to change any of the new laws, as they have been enshrined in state legislation, there are some aspects relating to implementation that Council has some discretion.

Q.  In what instance must I implant a microchip in my cat or dog?
Implanting a microchip in your cat or dog is only compulsory in 3 cases:

1. If your cat or dog is younger than 12 weeks when the legislation commences;
2. If the ownership of the dog or cat changes after the legislation commences;
3. If a dog is a regulated dog i.e. a restricted dog or declared a dangerous or menacing dog.

Q.  Who will police micro chipping?
The Department of Local Government, Sport and Recreation will be licensing micro chipping registries and authorised implanters while local governments will be responsible for enforcing the micro chipping status of animals.

Q.  I have a 2 year old cat (or dog).  Do I need to get it implanted with a microchip?
No, as the animal will be more than 12 weeks old when the legislation commences, it will not be mandatory for you to implant a microchip in it before the change in ownership takes place.

Owners are encouraged to implant microchips in their cats and dogs regardless of age however as it ensures these pets can be quickly reunited with the owners after separation.

Q.  Will I have to get my cat or dog desexed?
No.  Desexing is not mandatory unless you have a pet dog that is a declared dangerous or restricted dog.  Desexing cats and dogs will be strongly encouraged through reduced registration fees.

Q.  Why do cats have to be registered now as well as dogs?
Compulsory registration of cats aims to reduce the number of owner less and stray cats adversely impacting on the environment and native fauna.  Compulsory registration will also make it much easier for lost cats to be identified and reunited with their owners, reducing the burden on Council animal housing facilities and the number of cats that are euthanased each year.

Q.  Do all dogs and cats need to be registered? 
Yes.  This is irrespective of where the animal is kept, namely on a residential allotment or a rural property.  The only exception is for a “working dog”.  The definition of a “working dog” means a dog usually kept or proposed to be kept –

1. on rural land; and
2. by an owner who is a primary producer, or a person engaged or employed by a primary producer; and
3. primarily for the purpose of –
   1. droving, protecting, tending, or working stock; or
   2. being trained in droving, protecting, tending, or work stock