Animal Control

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Overview

Council's local laws and policies require that all pets are kept on their own property. Owners are to ensure they have secure fencing or enclosures to prevent their pet from wandering onto the street or neighbouring properties. 

The Queensland Animal Management (Cats and Dogs) Act 2008 requires all cats and dogs to be microchipped and registered.

Failure to do the following may result in an infringement notice: 

  • Preventing your pet from wandering in a public place or on neighbouring property
  • Not using a leash when exercising/taking your pet (includes cats, rats, birds, etc.) in a public place
  • Not registering and microchipping your cat or dog

Impounding

Impounded cats, dogs and other pets will be held at Council's Shelter Facilities for a minimum of three working days for unregistered animals, and five working days for registered dogs. If not collected by their owners during this time, animals will be available for adoption to new homes. Fees apply for the release of impounded animals. Charges are significantly higher if the dog is unregistered.

Sadly, a large number of animals that come to our Shelter do not get claimed by their owner. If you lose your cat or dog, contact Council as soon as possible and provide a full description of your pet.

Animals may be collected by appointment from our Shelter between 8am and 4pm, Monday to Friday (excl. public holidays). Contact your local Customer Service Centre on 1300 268 624 to arrange the release of an animal.

After Hours

After hours calls are covered 24/7 by our Animal Management Team On-call officer. Call outs covered are dog attacks, dogs contained for collection or wandering aggressive dogs. On call officers will not attend wandering animals, animals that are not contained, cat trap collections or general enquires. These will be actioned during business days and hours. 

Please Call 1300 COUNCIL to report after hours. 

Approved Inspection Program - Animal Management

Council conducts an approved inspection program for animal management in all Western Downs towns.

The program is conducted under the Animal Management (Cats and Dogs) Act 2008 and aims to monitor compliance by checking:

  • Dog registrations; and
  • Compliance with permit conditions related to the keeping of regulated dogs.

All residential, multiple occupancy, rural residential and small town properties across the region will be systematically checked for compliance.

Dog Breeding in the Western Downs

The Queensland Government has laws that promote the responsible breeding of dogs.

The law requires all persons giving away, supplying, selling, or advertising dogs or puppies to have a unique identifying number (Supply Number) that identifies the registered breeder of that dog.

The laws apply only to dogs born on or after 26 May 2017. Dogs born before this date are not impacted.

Any person with a female dog with a litter is a breeder. The laws apply to people who are commercial breeders, occasional breeders, and to people who are not making money from the dogs or puppies supplied. The laws apply to occasional, accidental or planned litters.

Council requires all professional breeders to have a Development Approval for Animal Keeping (i.e.to operate a Kennel or Cattery). Contact Council's Planning and Development Section on 1300 268 624 for more information.

Information on Dog Breeding in Queensland

Frequently Asked Questions about the Queensland Dog Breeder Register(PDF, 306KB)

Buying or getting a dog in Queensland(PDF, 248KB)

Fact Sheet - Breeding Dogs in Queensland(PDF, 216KB)

Fact Sheet - Breeding working dogs in Queensland(PDF, 292KB)

Approved Inspection Program FAQs