There is State Government legislation in place to ensure control and registration of dogs and cats in our community. The State Government also sets all of the fees associated with the control and registration of dogs and cats. The City of Melville is responsible for enforcing and administering this legislation in our community. Registering and microchipping your cat makes it easier for our MelSafe to help return your pet to you if they become lost.
Information you need to know
- Your cat must be registered, sterilised and microchipped from six (6) months of age and older.
- You can transfer your cat’s registration between local governments at no extra cost.
- You can register your cat for the duration of its life. You can also register your cat for 3 years, or one year.
- Unless you register your cat for the duration of its life, your cat’s registration expires on 31 October in the year it is due.
- If you register your cat after 1 June in any given year, and choose to register for one year only, half the normal fee is applicable. Please note if you choose to do this the registration will expire on the 31 October of that year and you will be issued a renewal notice.
- Concession rates apply for cats owned by pensioners. You must produce a copy of your Pension Concession Card or both Commonwealth and State Seniors Cards to qualify.
- You must notify the City of any change in your details e.g. change of ownership, address or death of your cat. You can notify us via our animal maintenance form.
Registration options and fees
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| Length of registration | Cost | Pensioner Concession cost |
|---|---|---|
| Life | $100.00 | $50.00 |
| 3 Years | $42.50 | $21.25 |
| 1 Year | $20.00 | $10.00 |
Registering your cat for the first time or renewing your cat’s registration
You can register your cat for the first time all year round. Before you register, make sure you have:
- Your cat's 15-digit microchip number, and/or microchip certificate.
- Your cat's sterilisation certificate.
- Your Pension/Seniors Cards (if applicable).
Register your cat online or submit a completed application form using one of the following methods.
- By email to [email protected]
- By post to City of Melville, Locked Bag 1, Booragoon WA 6954
- In person at the City of Melville Civic Centre, 10 Almondbury Road, Booragoon between 8.30am and 5.00pm, Monday to Friday.
Please ensure you provide all the correct information and supporting documentation so we can process your cat’s registration as quickly as possible.
Unless your cat is registered for life, you will receive a renewal notice from us in September if your cat’s registration is due for renewal. Renewals are due by 31 October and failure to renew the registration may result in an infringement being issued.
Once you have received your renewal notice from us you can pay your cat's registration renewal online, via BPAY (refer to your renewal notice) or return the completed renewal notice to us using one of the following methods:
- By email to [email protected]
- By post: City of Melville, Locked Bag 1, Booragoon WA 6954
- In person: City of Melville Civic Centre, 10 Almondbury Road, Booragoon between 8.30am and 5.00pm, Monday to Friday.
Changing or transferring your cat’s registration
Cats need to be registered to the address they are ordinarily kept at. If your cat is currently registered with another council in WA then you can transfer this registration free of charge. To do this complete a new registration (as if you are registering your cat with us for the first time) and make sure you include details of your current registration.
If your cat is already registered with the City of Melville and you move to a new address within the City of Melville, you must notify us in writing. You can do this in person, by email or via our General Animal Maintenance Form.
If you sell your cat or give them to a new owner, contact our Customer Relations Team or use our General Animal Maintenance Form to request a copy of our Transfer of Cat Ownership Form. You must complete this form and return it to us by email so that the pets records can be updated.
You must notify us in writing if your cat is deceased or you have moved out of the City of Melville area. This can be via email or our General Animal Maintenance Form. If you do not have online access you can attend our Civic Centre in person and our Customer Relations staff will assist you to complete the General Animal Maintenance Form.
Frequently asked questions
All cats in Western Australia must be microchipped, sterilised and registered from six (6) months of age and older. This is a Western Australian Government requirement. The main reason for registering your cat is so our Rangers have your details and can return your pet if they become lost. Owners who don't register their pets can be fined $200.
Cat registration fees contribute to handling of animal-related requests, including returning lost pets and animal related investigations.
No - microchipping your cat does not automatically mean your cat has been registered. Contact our Customer Relations Team if you are unsure if your cat is registered with us.
You can find your cat’s microchip number from vet records you already have, by contacting your vet, or visiting a local vet.
You will receive a registration certificate and tag by post to confirm your cat’s registration/renewal has been processed.
You can notify us verbally over the phone and in person, or in writing by email, or using our animal maintenance form . We will send you a replacement tag by post.
If you’ve taken in a stray cat, you must first make a reasonable attempt to find the owner. A vet or ranger can scan the animal for a microchip for free. If the animal is microchipped, the City will attempt to contact the registered owner.
If no owner comes forward within the required holding period (usually 7–14 days), the animal can be transferred into your name.
If the animal has no microchip and no owner is identified, you can arrange a vet check, microchipping in your name, and desexing (if applicable).
Once the transfer is complete, you can register the animal with the City as normal.