Responsible pet ownership is important for everyone, whether you have a pet or not.

The way we manage domestic animals helps keep the Moira Shire safe, healthy and enjoyable for all.
Moira Shire has created a new Domestic Animal Management Plan (DAM Plan) 2026 - 2029 which guides how we support pet owners, enforce animal regulations, and promote responsible pet ownership over the next four years.

The Draft Domestic Animal Management Plan 2026 - 2029 was available for community feedback from Monday 1 September to Monday 22 September.

How You Can Engage

The draft Domestic Animal Management Plan was available for community feedback from Monday 01 September to Monday 22 September.

Community had the opportunity to read the draft plan and complete a short survey to help ensure the final plan is clear, relevant, and reflective of pet owners, animals, and the wider community.

Need assistance with the online platform, or want to discuss our Animal Management services more?

Email: info@moira.vic.gov.au
Call: Customer Service (03) 5871 9222

From Monday 14 April to Monday 12 May, Moira Shire Council went out with Stage 1 consultation to engage with the community and identify key priorities and concerns to help guide the Domestic Animal Management Plan.

From the survey we heard from:

  • 141 survey completions
  • 55 Dog Owners
  • 14 Cat Owners
  • 39 who own both a Cat and Dog
  • 33 who do not currently own pets

You told us:

  • 90% Have registered their pets
  • 27% of pet owners with non registered pets says the cost is a contributing factor
  • 87% are aware cat and dog registrations are due on the 10th of April every year in Victoria.
  • 74% would consider pet adoption
  • 34% are not aware of Council’s animal management programs such as Cat Trap Hires, on and off leash dog areas, foster care and adoption programs
  • 11% have not seen any dog or cat issues in the community
  • 14% have interacted with Council’s Animal Management Team within the past 12 months

The first stage of consultation was to engage with the community to identify key priorities and concerns to help guide the DAM Plan for the next four years.

Stage One Consultation occurred from Monday 14 April to Monday 12 May.

Thank you to everyone who contributed feedback on the draft Domestic Animal Management Plan.

Between 1 - 21 September 2025, we received 25 submissions.

Key themes included support for increased pet owner accountability and officer training.

The final plan was adopted at the November Schedules Council Meeting and will guide animal management in Moira Shire for the next four years.
You can read the final document on our website https://www.moira.vic.gov.au/Our-Council/Our-plans...

New Initiatives of the Draft Domestic Animal Mangement Plan

  • Investigate introducing first registration free or a minimal payment for all dogs and cats that are under 6 months of age.
  • Provide website information that educates the community of the importance of pet registration in multiple languages.
  • Implement a ‘Lost pets’ page on Council website to display impounded pets to assist with reclaiming rate.
  • Create new Section 26 Order to include dog parks.
  • Explore programs offered by government to help reduce desexing costs.
  • Investigate support services provided by government to provide low cost desexing.
  • Investigate Council offering desexing vouchers.
  • Engage with more adoption agencies and enter into 84Y agreements.
  • Investigate new procedures that inform pet owners that their animal registration is due.
  • Promote Animal Welfare Victoria education programs to raise awareness of what is a declared dog i.e., restricted breed, dangerous and menacing.
  • Investigate options for discounted microchipping scheme.
  • Maintain and update the Emergency Management Animal Welfare Plan; and
  • Encourage victims to report dog attacks via targeted media.

Give Feedback

Stage 1 Survey

Key Dates

Timeline

  • Timeline item 1 - complete

    Stage 1 Consultation Open

    Monday 14 April

  • Timeline item 2 - complete

    Stage 1 Consultation Close

    Monday 12 May

  • Timeline item 3 - complete

    Review and Evaluate Feedback

    May - June 2025

  • Timeline item 4 - complete

    Develop draft Domestic Animal Management Plan

  • Timeline item 5 - complete

    Stage 2 - review draft Domestic Animal Management Plan

    Monday 1 September - Monday 22 September

  • Timeline item 6 - complete

    Final considerations

    September - October

  • Timeline item 7 - complete

    Scheduled Council Meeting for adoption

    November Scheduled Council Meeting to adopt the Domestic Animal Management Plan 2026 – 2029

Contact Us

Contact Us

Have questions or want to learn more about a project, contact us below:

Contact Information
Name Moira Shire Council Animal Management
Phone 03 5871 9222
Email info@moira.vic.gov.au

Animal Services Around Moira Shire

  • Registered Cats

    There are 1,155 registered cats in Moira Shire.

  • Registered Dogs

    There are 4,298 registered dogs in Moira Shire.

  • Returned Pets

    Moira Shire Council returned 129 dogs and cats to their owner in 2024/25.

  • Rehomed Animals

    Moira Shire Council rehomed 114 cats and dogs in 2024/25