The following laws apply for South Australia's dog and cat owners.

• Mandatory microchipping of all cats and dogs
• Desexing of dogs and cats born after 1 July 2018
• New rules for breeders who sell dogs and cats
• Dogs and cats must be registered in Dogs and Cats Online, South Australia’s mandatory database for dogs, cats, breeders, microchip and desexing information.

These new laws and rules will simplify the dog registration process. They will make it easier to reunite lost dogs and cats with their owners and help identify and put a stop to puppy farms and reduce euthanasia rates of unowned dogs and cats.

The new legislation has also increased expiation fees for offences against the Dog and Cat Management Act dramatically and gives authorised officers of council greater powers to enforce the Act.

Microchipping
From 1 July, all dogs and cats must be microchipped. New dogs and cats born after 1 July 2018 must be microchipped by 12 weeks of age or at the point of sale. Veterinarians may exempt an animal for medical reasons. Owners are encouraged to take advantage of the numerous discount microchipping days throughout the state. 
Alternatively, contact your local vet.

Desexing
Dogs and cats born after the 1 July 2018 must be desexed by 6 months of age or 28 days after purchase by the owner (whichever is the later).

Dogs and cats owned by registered breeders will be exempt from the requirement to desex, however will still need to be microchipped.

Breeders
People who breed dogs and cats for sale after 1 July 2018 must register with the Dog and Cat Management Board as a breeder. Your breeder registration number must be included in all advertisements for dogs and cats.

There are new requirements to disclose the breeder registration number and other information to the buyer at the point of sale. All breeders are required to follow the new industry standards and guidelines.

Lost Dogs
If you have lost your dog, it is important to act immediately by logging onto Dogs and Cats Online and marking it as lost. If you do not have access to the internet  phone Council on telephone (08) 8569 0100 and we can assist. When reporting a lost dog include its name, sex, breed, colour, age and size and any other identifiable features. Also include if it is wearing a collar and ID or is microchipped. It is a good idea to have a colour picture of your dog or cat uploaded on the Dogs & Cats Online database.

Impounded Dogs
All dogs impounded by Council without identification are placed on Council’s Facebook site and posters are displayed at each of the Council Offices. If you have lost your dog, it is recommended that you check Council’s Facebook site (click here to visit site) and also contact Council’s Animal Management Officers on (08) 8569 0100 as soon as possible.

Dogs impounded by Council are released on payment of all fees and charges relating to the impounding of the dog (pursuant to Section 62 of the Dog & Cat Management Act, 1995).

Should you require further information please contact one of our helpful Customer Service Team on (08) 8569 0100.

Found Dogs
If you find a dog, phone the Council immediately on (08) 8569 0100. Some animals may require daily medication, or may bite out of fear. Some animals may even carry communicable diseases that could put your family and your pets at risk. If the dog is wearing a tag you will be able to enter the tag number onto Dogs and Cats Online and you will be provided with the Council of which it is registered to contact or if the owner has already marked the dog as lost they can also choose to make their contact details available to the public.

Council advises owners who have lost dogs to check for their dog daily.

It is an offence to keep another person's dog and most important that Council collect the dog from you as soon as possible, no-one is going to look for their dog at your house. The dog may be microchipped which can enable Council to reunite the dog with its owner.

Wandering
Council's Animal Management Officers pick up hundreds of wandering dogs every year! If you see a wandering dog, please report it immediately to Council's Customer Service Team on (08) 8569 0100. Dogs wandering are more likely to become injured due to traffic and fights with other animals. This can result in costly veterinary care. Wandering dogs can also pose a threat to other people and pets in the community.

For information on securing your property and preventing your dog wandering, view the following factsheets:

Fireworks & Thunderstorms (produced by the Animal Welfare League)

Animal Management on Weekends & Public Holidays Only
For matters relating to animal management on weekends and public holidays, please contact Council’s After Hours Call Centre on (08) 8569 0100.  For emergency matters please contact SAPOL on 131 444.

Cat Traps

Trapping a cat is the last resort, and only cats which have no identification on a property you own can be trapped.  You are not allowed to enter another property unlawfully in order to trap a cat.

Cat traps can be hired from Council Offices at Mannum, Cambrai and Morgan to residents within Council for a maximum hire period of 14 days.  A Bond is payable upon collection of the cage which will be refunded in full if the cage is returned by the hire return date in a clean and undamaged condition.  To hire a cat trap please complete the Animal Trap Hire Agreement Form and return it to any Council Office together with the appropriate Proof of Identity and Bond.

Council does not have facilities to hold or destroy cats.  It is the responsibility of the person trapping the cat to take it to the responsible organisation.