Dogs and Cats (Companion Animals) | Maitland City Council
Skip to main content
Home
Search
  • Remove All filter All (2739)
  • General (559) Apply General filter
  • News (446) Apply News filter
  • Documents (641) Apply Documents filter
  • Online Services (26) Apply Online Services filter
  • Places (165) Apply Places filter
  • Alerts (13) Apply Alerts filter

Direct Debit Request Form

Embracing the spirit of Christmas

Heritage Education Programs

Heritage Education Programs

My Place Grants Handy Hints Sheet 2017

Street Eats Guidelines

Street Eats Application Form

HUNTER VALLEY STEAMFEST TICKETS ON SALE TUESDAY

Blue green algae levels at high alert

Maitland heads into the outback this Australia Day

Pages

  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • 4
  • 5
  • …
  • 100
  • Next page
  • Log in
  • Online services
    • Report It
    • Property certificates
    • Rates payment
    • Update contact details
    • Change rates notice preferences
    • Debtors payment
    • Informal access request
    • Cemeteries burial register
    • Application tracker
    • Planning maps
    • Development Application online lodgement
  • Council A-Z
  • Maitland Your Say
  • A
  • /
  • A
Search

Main Menu

  •  Home
  • My Neighbourhood
    Back to Main MenuBack to parent

    My Neighbourhood

    • POPULAR LINKS
      Back to Main MenuBack to parent
      • Dog off leash exercise areas
      • Emergencies and disasters
      • Microchipping and registration
      • Paying your rates
      • Rangers
      • Neighbourhood noise
    • My neighbourhood
      Back to Main MenuBack to parent

      My neighbourhood

      • Upcoming events
      • Alerts and notifications
      • What's nearby
    • Report an issue
      Back to Main MenuBack to parent

      Report an issue

      • Report it
      • Contact us
      • Rangers
      • Shopping trolleys
      • Fines
    • Animals and pets
      Back to Main MenuBack to parent

      Animals and pets

      • Microchipping and registration
      • Annual permits
      • Lost and found pets
      • Dog off leash exercise areas
      • Dogs and Cats (Companion Animals)
      • Keeping animals in residential areas
    • Rates
      Back to Main MenuBack to parent

      Rates

      • Paying your rates
      • Understanding rates
      • How are rates calculated
      • What do rates contribute to?
      • Land valuations
      • Special Rate Variation
      • Rates FAQs
    • Environmental health
      Back to Main MenuBack to parent

      Environmental health

      • Mosquitoes
      • Flying foxes
      • Blue green algae
      • Management and disposal of domestic sharps
      • Baby immunisation clinics
      • Open burning
      • Woodsmoke
      • Cleaning up after storms and floods
      • Neighbourhood noise
      • Overgrown land
    • Home safety
      Back to Main MenuBack to parent

      Home safety

      • Emergencies and disasters
      • Keeping your home safe
      • Get Ready Maitland
  • My Council
    Back to Main MenuBack to parent

    My Council

    • POPULAR LINKS
      Back to Main MenuBack to parent
      • Development Control Plan (DCP)
      • Meeting agendas and minutes
      • News and updates
      • Public exhibition and notices
      • Momentum
      • Mayor's column archive
    • About Council
      Back to Main MenuBack to parent

      About Council

      • Council meetings
      • Public Notice of Development Consents
      • Public exhibition and notices
      • Councillors
      • How does Council work?
      • Our organisation
      • Committees
      • Ward boundaries
      • 2021 Local Government Election
      • Freedom of Entry
      • Civic Traditions
      • Demystifying Council
    • Governance and transparency
      Back to Main MenuBack to parent

      Governance and transparency

      • Policies
      • How to access information
      • Political donations
      • Privacy and personal information
      • Using this website
      • Councillor social media and website disclosures
    • News and updates
      Back to Main MenuBack to parent

      News and updates

      • Mayor's Message
      • Momentum
      • On the Move
      • Contact Council's media team
    • Work with us
      Back to Main MenuBack to parent

      Work with us

      • Work vacancies
      • Why work with us
      • How to apply
      • Apply for work experience
      • Traineeships and apprenticeships
    • Planning and reporting
      Back to Main MenuBack to parent

      Planning and reporting

      • Long term planning
      • Annual report
      • Publications, plans and strategies
    • Works and major projects
      Back to Main MenuBack to parent

      Works and major projects

      • Maitland Administration Centre
      • Maitland Indoor Pool
      • No .1 Sportsground Redevelopment
    • COVID-19 Support
      Back to Main MenuBack to parent

      COVID-19 Support

      • COVID-19 Response and Recovery
      • Business support during COVID-19
      • Council meetings and COVID-19
      • COVID-19 News
      • Changes to Council facilities
      • Changes to Council services
    • Maitland Your Say
  • Our Services
    Back to Main MenuBack to parent

    Our Services

    • POPULAR LINKS
      Back to Main MenuBack to parent
      • Application tracking
      • Disposal fees
      • Location and opening hours
      • Planning maps
      • Burial register
      • Planning information and advice
    • Waste and recycling
      Back to Main MenuBack to parent

      Waste and recycling

      • Your kerbside bin
      • Mount Vincent Road Waste Management Centre
      • Illegal dumping and littering
      • Disposing of problem waste
      • Bulky waste collection
    • Building and development
      Back to Main MenuBack to parent

      Building and development

      • Planning Portal
      • Planning information and advice
      • Building and renovating
      • The application process
      • Planning strategies
      • Property certificates
      • Planning maps
      • Development contributions
      • Planning application forms and certificates
      • Short Term Licence to Access Council Owned or Managed Land
    • Community
      Back to Main MenuBack to parent

      Community

      • Community Notices
      • Community services
      • Citizenship ceremonies
      • Grants and Sponsorship
      • Education programs
      • Service awards
      • Cemeteries
    • Environment
      Back to Main MenuBack to parent

      Environment

      • Estuary management
      • Maitland Greening Plan
      • Native Seedling Giveaway
      • Community Street Tree Planting Program
      • Weeds and pesticides
      • Environmental Education
      • Living sustainably
      • Green Communities Newsletter
      • Water restrictions update
    • Roads, traffic and transport
      Back to Main MenuBack to parent

      Roads, traffic and transport

      • Road closures and disruptions
      • Using our roads
      • Public transport
      • Advertising on public roads
      • Road maintenance
      • Abandoned vehicles
    • Business
      Back to Main MenuBack to parent

      Business

      • Maitland's economy
      • Business support and news
      • Vibrant precincts
      • Bring your business to Maitland
      • Regulation and compliance
      • Submitting a tender to Council
  • Play & Explore
    Back to Main MenuBack to parent

    Play & Explore

    • POPULAR LINKS
      Back to Main MenuBack to parent
      • Parks and playgrounds
      • Health and wellbeing
      • Location and opening hours
      • Pool entry fees and passes
      • Fitness programs
      • Learn to swim
    • Events
      Back to Main MenuBack to parent

      Events

      • What's on
      • Major events
      • Planning an event
    • Facilities and recreation
      Back to Main MenuBack to parent

      Facilities and recreation

      • What's nearby
      • Aquatic centres
      • Libraries
      • Parks and playgrounds
      • Sports facilities
      • Cemeteries
      • Ground closures
      • Skate parks
      • Venues & Facilities for Hire
      • Walking
      • Cycling
    • Arts and culture
      Back to Main MenuBack to parent

      Arts and culture

      • Maitland Regional Art Galley
      • Maitland Gaol
      • Walka Water Works
      • Morpeth Museum
      • Place activation
    • History and heritage
      Back to Main MenuBack to parent

      History and heritage

      • Cemeteries
      • Morpeth Heritage Walk
      • Poverty and Prosperity Heritage Walk
      • Local History and Community Contacts
      • Walks and drives
      • Heritage Education Programs
      • Flooding in Maitland
      • Historic photos
      • Heritage Publications
    • Resident guide
      Back to Main MenuBack to parent

      Resident guide

      • Welcome to Maitland
      • Moving to Maitland
      • Living the lifestyle
      • Connect with your community
      • Your Council
    • Visiting Maitland
      Back to Main MenuBack to parent

      Visiting Maitland

      • #MyMaitland
      • Maitland Visitor Information Centre
      • Things to do in Maitland
  Alerts
  • Log in
  • Online services
    • Report It
    • Property certificates
    • Rates payment
    • Update contact details
    • Change rates notice preferences
    • Debtors payment
    • Informal access request
    • Cemeteries burial register
    • Application tracker
    • Planning maps
    • Development Application online lodgement
  • Council A-Z
  • Maitland Your Say
You are here:
  • Home
  • My Neighbourhood
  • Animals and pets
  • Dogs and Cats (Companion Animals)

Dogs and Cats (Companion Animals)

Dogs and cats are great companions which require commitment. See what's required to be a responsible pet owner.

Many of us are pet owners of either dogs and or cats, which are defined as 'companion animals'.

The Companion Animals Act and Companion Animals Regulation 2008 is the legislation that exists for our pet's safety and for the protection and benefit of the wider community and environment. The legislation sets out the responsibilities expected of pet owners and give councils the power to assist and, where necessary, enforce the law to ensure that all owners meet their responsibilities.

Your responsibilities

As a pet owner you must ensure to:

  • Microchip your pets - In NSW, all cats and dogs (other than exempt cats or dogs) must be microchipped by 12 weeks of age or before being sold or given away, whichever happens first.
  • Register your pets - All cats and dogs must be registered by six months of age and you are encouraged to have them desexed before registration.
  • Make certain your pet has identification - Whilst your pet is not at home and in a public place they must wear a collar or some form of identification tag which allows the owner to be contacted.

Exemptions: If you own a cat born before 1 July 1999 and ownership has not changed, a working dog used for tending stock on a rural property or a greyhound currently registered under the Greyhound Racing Act 2009, you are not required to have your pet identified or registered. However, for its protection, you should have it either microchipped, or wearing an ID tag or collar.

Dog and cat owners

As a responsible pet owner you must ensure:

  • your dog is under the control of a competent person and is on a leash in a public place.
  • you pick up and dispose of your dog faeces if they defecate in a public space.
  • that your dog does not rush at, chase, harass or attack any person or animal.
  • that your pet is not causing a nuisance, whether by making a persistent noise, straying or interfering with other people's property.
  • that your pet does not enter children's play areas, food preparation areas, community centres, schools, wildlife protection areas or recreation and shopping areas.

In an effort to protect our native animal populations Council also strongly encourages all cat owners to keep cats indoors at night, to not feed stray cats, have your cat wear a bell on its collar and properly house your cats when away.

Dangerous Dogs

If you are the owner of a dangerous dog or restricted dog there are additional responsibilities, which you are expected to meet.

View the control requirements specified under The Companion Animals Act for dangerous and menacing dogs and or restricted dogs.

Barking dogs and nuisance animals

Both dogs and cats can be declared to be a nuisance by Council if it is established that the dog repeatedly barks, damages other people's property or chases people, animals or vehicles and if it is established that your cat persistently makes a noise that unreasonably interferes with the wellbeing of neighbours or repeatedly damages other people’s property.

If you are experiencing this type of situation, Council recommends that in the first instance you speak with the pet owner, as they are often unaware there is even an issue. Many complaints can be resolved through this approach. However, if you are not satisfied with the owner's response or this does not resolve the issue within a timely period, then please contact Council's Citizen Services team on 02 4934 9700.

Dog attacks

If you or your dog is involved in a dog attack, obtain identification and contact details from all other parties involved and report the incident to Council by phoning 4934 9700. It is an offence for a dog to attack another animal or person. Fines of $1320 may apply.

For further informing relating to dog attacks, view The Companion Animals Act here.

Stray dogs

It is an offence for a dog to be unattended or uncontrolled in a public place. Fines of $220 may apply. If you see a stray dog, please report it to Council by phoning 4934 9700.

Print Email Share

I want to...

  • Learn more about Responsible pet ownership
  • Find about about off leash dog areas
  • Report an issue
Top of the page
  • My Neighbourhood
    • My neighbourhood
      • Upcoming events
      • Alerts and notifications
      • What's nearby
    • Report an issue
      • Report it
      • Contact us
      • Rangers
      • Shopping trolleys
      • Fines
    • Animals and pets
      • Microchipping and registration
      • Annual permits
      • Lost and found pets
      • Dog off leash exercise areas
      • Dogs and Cats (Companion Animals)
      • Keeping animals in residential areas
    • Rates
      • Paying your rates
      • Understanding rates
      • How are rates calculated
      • What do rates contribute to?
      • Land valuations
      • Special Rate Variation
      • Rates FAQs
    • Environmental health
      • Mosquitoes
      • Flying foxes
      • Blue green algae
      • Management and disposal of domestic sharps
      • Baby immunisation clinics
      • Open burning
      • Woodsmoke
      • Cleaning up after storms and floods
      • Neighbourhood noise
      • Overgrown land
    • Home safety
      • Emergencies and disasters
      • Keeping your home safe
      • Get Ready Maitland
  • My Council
    • About Council
      • Council meetings
        • Meeting agendas and minutes
        • Public access
        • Planning decisions register
      • Public Notice of Development Consents
      • Public exhibition and notices
      • Councillors
        • Cr Loretta Baker
        • Cr Sally Halliday
        • Cr Ben Whiting
        • Cr Peter Garnham
        • Cr Robert Aitchison
        • Cr Donald Ferris
        • Cr Mike Yarrington
        • Cr Henry Meskauskas
        • Cr Mitchell Griffin
        • Cr Ben Mitchell
        • Cr Nicole Penfold
        • Cr Philip Penfold
        • Previous Mayors
        • Cr Kanchan Ranadive
      • How does Council work?
      • Our organisation
      • Committees
      • Ward boundaries
      • 2021 Local Government Election
      • Freedom of Entry
      • Civic Traditions
      • Demystifying Council
    • Governance and transparency
      • Policies
      • How to access information
      • Political donations
      • Privacy and personal information
      • Using this website
        • Terms & Conditions
        • Privacy Statement
        • Copyright
        • Web Accessibility
      • Councillor social media and website disclosures
    • News and updates
      • Mayor's Message
      • Momentum
      • On the Move
      • Contact Council's media team
    • Work with us
      • Work vacancies
      • Why work with us
      • How to apply
        • Viewing and applying for a role
        • Our recruitment process
        • Tips for addressing the selection criteria
        • Tips for making your interview a success
      • Apply for work experience
      • Traineeships and apprenticeships
    • Planning and reporting
      • Long term planning
        • Maitland +10 Community Strategic Plan
        • Delivery Program
        • Operational Plan
        • Fees and Charges
        • General Purpose Financial Reports
        • Resourcing Strategy
        • Asset Management Plan
        • Maitland Urban Settlement Strategy
        • Local Environment Plan (LEP)
        • Development Control Plan (DCP)
        • Maitland Local Strategic Planning Statement 2040+
        • Community survey reports
        • Destination Management Plan
      • Annual report
      • Publications, plans and strategies
        • Central Maitland Interpretation Plan
        • Aberglassyn Structure Plan
        • Manual of Engineering Standards
        • Activity Centres and Employment Clusters Strategy
        • Central Maitland Structure Plan
        • Gilleston Heights Structure Plan
        • Hunter River Branxton to Green Rocks flood study (2010)
        • Hunter River Floodplain Risk Management Study and Plan (2015)
        • Lochinvar Structure Plan
        • Maitland Centres Study (2009)
        • Maitland Integrated Land Use and Transport Study
        • Maitland Rural Lands Strategy (2005)
        • Thornton Structure Plan
        • Maitland Bike Plan
        • Discussion paper: Strengthening relationships with young people
        • Rutherford Youth Protocol
        • Disability Inclusion Action Plan (DIAP)
        • Community Facilities and Services Strategy
        • Lochinvar Flood Study
        • Maitland Recreation and Open Space Strategy
        • Open Museums Open Minds
        • Wallis and Swamp-Fishery Creek Flood Study
    • Works and major projects
      • Maitland Administration Centre
      • Maitland Indoor Pool
      • No .1 Sportsground Redevelopment
    • COVID-19 Support
      • COVID-19 Response and Recovery
      • Business support during COVID-19
        • Council's COVID-19 Business Support
        • NSW Government Support
        • Australian Government Support
      • Council meetings and COVID-19
      • COVID-19 News
      • Changes to Council facilities
      • Changes to Council services
    • Maitland Your Say
  • Our Services
    • Waste and recycling
      • Your kerbside bin
        • Your bins
        • Bin collections and etiquette
        • Order a bin
        • Missed, damaged or stolen bins
      • Mount Vincent Road Waste Management Centre
        • Location and opening hours
        • Disposal fees
        • Free tip voucher
        • Disposal information
        • Pollution and Environmental Monitoring
          • Monitoring Parameters GW1-5
          • Monitoring Parameters SW1 & SW2
          • Monitoring Parameters SW3
      • Illegal dumping and littering
      • Disposing of problem waste
      • Bulky waste collection
    • Building and development
      • Planning Portal
      • Planning information and advice
      • Building and renovating
        • Renovations and repairs
        • Asbestos
        • Heritage conservation
          • Heritage and development
          • Heritage trades directory
          • Colour scheme guidelines
            • Introduction to colour
            • Style guide and colour schemes
          • Heritage Education Programs
          • Local Heritage Fund
        • Swimming pools
          • Do I need development consent for a Pool?
          • Pool owner responsibilities
          • Renting or leasing property with a pool or spa
          • Selling property with a pool or spa
        • Fire safety
        • Building in bushfire prone areas
        • Fences
        • Easements
        • Retaining walls
        • Trees
        • Water tanks
        • Sewage management systems
      • The application process
        • Types of developments
        • Types of applications
        • How to lodge a planning application
        • The steps after lodgement
        • Application tracking
        • Development Application Information
      • Planning strategies
      • Property certificates
      • Planning maps
      • Development contributions
      • Planning application forms and certificates
      • Short Term Licence to Access Council Owned or Managed Land
    • Community
      • Community Notices
      • Community services
        • Childrens services directory
        • Community profile
        • Community safety
        • People with disabilities
        • Seniors
        • Young people
        • Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples
        • Cultural programs
        • Homelessness
      • Citizenship ceremonies
      • Grants and Sponsorship
        • Annual Community grants
        • ClubGRANTS
        • Youth Week Grants
        • High Achievers Grant Program
        • Local heritage fund
        • Commemorative and Recognised Days Grants Program
        • Sponsorship
          • Receive sponsorship
          • Sponsor council initiatives
            • Sponsor Maitland Events
            • Sponsor Maitland Regional Art Gallery and Maitland Gaol
            • Sponsorship enquiry
          • Active sponsors
      • Education programs
        • Environmental education
        • Living sustainably
        • Library education programs
        • Art Gallery creative learning programs
        • Maitland Gaol education programs
        • Heritage education programs
          • Walka Water Works Education Programs
            • Walka Ecology
              • Walka bird app
              • Walka for teachers
              • Walka for young explorers
              • Walka bird photos
            • Walka People and Me
              • Walka Water Works, me inspired App
              • Walka social stories for accessibility
              • Walka Music
              • Walka Soundscapes
              • Early settlement at Walka
              • Planning the Walka Water Works
              • Building Walka
              • The importance of water at Walka
              • Living at Walka
            • Walka Apps
              • Walka Me Inspired App
              • Walka Bird App
            • Walka for visitors
            • Walka historical photos
            • Walka technical drawings
            • Interpretation Australia - 2018 National Award Winner
          • Early Settlers of Wallis Plains
      • Service awards
        • Australia day awards
        • Freeman of the city
        • Maitland City Service Awards Program
        • Hall of fame
      • Cemeteries
        • Burial register
        • Operational cemeteries
        • Historic cemeteries
        • Private cemeteries
        • Family history enquiries
        • Strategy and policy
        • Service providers
        • Cemetery forms
    • Environment
      • Estuary management
      • Maitland Greening Plan
      • Native Seedling Giveaway
      • Community Street Tree Planting Program
      • Weeds and pesticides
        • Green Cestrum
      • Environmental Education
      • Living sustainably
      • Green Communities Newsletter
      • Water restrictions update
    • Roads, traffic and transport
      • Road closures and disruptions
      • Using our roads
        • Doing private works on Council roads
        • Heavy vehicles
        • Parking
        • Resident Parking Permit
        • Road safety
          • Road safety programs
          • Speeding
      • Public transport
      • Advertising on public roads
      • Road maintenance
      • Abandoned vehicles
    • Business
      • Maitland's economy
      • Business support and news
        • Digital Accelerator Program
        • Starting your business
        • Business networks and groups
        • Business Matters newsletter
        • Business development and events
      • Vibrant precincts
        • Explore our precincts
        • Create Maitland
        • Business opportunities
        • Applying for outdoor dining
      • Bring your business to Maitland
        • Business Opportunities
        • Why do business in Maitland?
        • Explore our precincts
          • Industrial areas
          • Lifestyle and shopping precincts
          • Shopping centres
      • Regulation and compliance
        • Food businesses
          • Operating a food business
          • Construction and renovation of food premises
          • Temporary food businesses, stalls and mobile food
            • Street Eats
          • Home food preparation business
          • Food Safety Program
        • Skin penetration, beauty and hairdressing
        • Legionnaires disease and regulated systems
      • Submitting a tender to Council
  • Play & Explore
    • Events
      • What's on
      • Major events
      • Planning an event
    • Facilities and recreation
      • What's nearby
      • Aquatic centres
        • What's on at your local aquatic centre
        • Location and opening hours
        • Fitness programs
        • Learn to swim
        • Bookings and carnival schedule
        • Memberships
        • Indoor pool
        • Pool entry fees and passes
        • Squad
      • Libraries
      • Parks and playgrounds
      • Sports facilities
      • Cemeteries
      • Ground closures
      • Skate parks
      • Venues & Facilities for Hire
      • Walking
      • Cycling
    • Arts and culture
      • Maitland Regional Art Galley
      • Maitland Gaol
      • Walka Water Works
      • Morpeth Museum
        • Current exhibitions and displays
        • Group and school bookings
        • Location and opening hours
        • The Court House Building
      • Place activation
        • Street Eats
        • My Place Grants
        • Make it Maitland this summer Food Business Opportunities
        • Walls that Talk
        • Creative Streets
        • Streets as Shared Spaces - Morph It
        • Resources for Creatives
        • Maitland City Buskers' Code of Conduct
    • History and heritage
      • Cemeteries
      • Morpeth Heritage Walk
      • Poverty and Prosperity Heritage Walk
      • Local History and Community Contacts
      • Walks and drives
      • Heritage Education Programs
      • Flooding in Maitland
      • Historic photos
      • Heritage Publications
    • Resident guide
      • Welcome to Maitland
        • Welcome message from the Mayor
        • Your local area
        • Discover your city
        • Meander, Maitland's lifestyle magazine
        • Story of a new resident
      • Moving to Maitland
        • Make Maitland home
        • Moving Checklist
        • A-Z useful contacts
      • Living the lifestyle
        • A place to call home
        • Work life balance and business
        • Recreation and sports facilities
        • Shop local
        • Get out and celebrate
      • Connect with your community
        • Our vibrant community
        • Get connected
        • Education is key
        • Health and wellbeing
        • Volunteer and make a difference
        • Become a citizen
      • Your Council
        • Councillors
        • Your waste services
        • Your pets
        • Property, development and planning
        • Council services
        • Keeping informed
    • Visiting Maitland
      • #MyMaitland
      • Maitland Visitor Information Centre
      • Things to do in Maitland

Other council sites

  • Maitland Library
  • Maitland Gaol
  • Maitland Regional Art Gallery
  • My Maitland
  • Maitland Events
  • Maitland Your Say

Connect with us

  • Maitland City Council Facebook page
  • Maitland City Council Instagram page
  • Maitland City Council Twitter page
  • Maitland City Council Youtube page

Stay in touch

Sign up to our newsletter

We acknowledge the Wonnarua People as the Traditional Owners and Custodians of the land within the Maitland Local Government Area. Council pays respect to all Aboriginal Elders, past, present and future with a spiritual connection to these lands.

Contact us

 02 4934 9700
 Live chat
 info@maitland.nsw.gov.au
285–287 High Street
PO Box 220
Maitland NSW 2320

 

Customer Experience Team hours

Monday to Friday 8.30am-5.30pm at Administration Building and 8am–6pm via email, phone and live chat. 

  • Terms and conditions
  • Privacy statement
  • Website accessibility
  • Contact us

© Maitland City Council 2018 – All rights reserved