Animals & Pets
Pets play an important role in our community, contributing to the wellbeing of many people within our Longreach Region. Pets provide companionship and comfort, and for many people, are considered to be a vital member of the family. More than ever, people are choosing to live life alongside a furry friend, with pet ownership rapidly increasing across the country in recent years.
Longreach Regional Council recognises the diversity of lifestyle preferences, including experiences and views about pets. While some prefer to enjoy our communities and public places without pet interaction, others may like to take their pets with them during day-to-day activities.
Council considers it essential to effectively manage domestic animals to enable pets and people to live together harmoniously. We recognise our important role in facilitating and promoting responsible pet ownership, public safety and community wellbeing across the Region where we all live, work and play.
Council is responsible for administering the Animal Management (Cats and Dogs) Act 2008, covering some topics relating to cats and dogs. The keeping of animals is further regulated by Local Laws. Animal-related rules and regulations are in place to protect the community against injury and damage, to ensure animals don't create a nuisance or hazard to health & safety, and to make sure animals are kept in a way that is consistent with the rights and expectations of the local community.
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The Longreach Regional Council’s Domestic Animal Management Strategy 2024-2028 is a robust, comprehensive, and community-oriented framework designed to guide the Council’s animal management services over the next five years. This Strategy acknowledges the growing importance of pets in our society. It aims to enhance public services, promote responsible pet ownership, provide improved facilities, and enable strategic community engagement. With its focus on content pets, educated people, and inclusive places, this Strategy marks a decisive step towards promoting harmonious relationships between pets, their owners, and the broader community in the Longreach Region.
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There are State and Local Laws that require pet owners to be responsible for their animal. Being a responsible pet owner means ensuring that your pet is:
- Registered with Council - renewed annually. Registrations expire 15 August each year
- Wearing a collar with an identification tag and owner contact details
- Implanted with a microchip and details are up to date
- Properly contained within your yard and unable to escape
- Always restrained on a lead when in public places
- Up to date with vaccinations
- Desexed
- Cared for in line with minimum welfare requirements
As a pet owner, you are legally responsible for their actions. Animal attacks can cause serious injury or harm. If a person or property is damaged in an attack, or if another animal is injured, the owner of the animal will be held liable for any damages or injury.
If attacked by an animal:
- If it's a life-threatening emergency, call triple zero - 000.
- Report the attack to Council by calling (07) 4658 4111.
Check out our Fact Sheets below for more information.
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Any animal/s found wandering at large on public land may be impounded by one of Council's authorised officers, attracting an impoundment fee. This fee will apply regardless of whether the animal resides in the rural or urban zone of the Longreach Regional Council.
Animals trespassing on private land may be impounded by the occupier of the land and surrendered to Council. However, Council is not obliged to accept custody of an animal impounded in this way.
The owner of an impounded animal is required to either reclaim the animal and pay the prescribed fees within three working days or advise Council they do not wish to reclaim the animal. When collecting your animal from the Council Pound, you are required to pay a release fee at the Longreach Council Office prior to collection. You then must produce your receipt upon collection at the Longreach Council Depot.
Pound Operating Hours: Monday to Friday 9:00am – 3:00pm (Excluding public holidays)
To enquire about animals impounded by Council, contact Local Laws, on (07) 4658 4111. -
Registration is compulsory for all dogs over three (3) months of age, with a current registration tag affixed to a collar at all times.
Failure to register your dog/s may result in you receiving an on-the-spot fine.
An approval is required if you have:
- More than two (2) dogs over the age of three (3) months on an allotment in a designated town area; and,
- More than one (1) dog over the age of three (3) months on multi-residential premises (i.e. retirement home, units, flats, or apartments).
Council encourages all residents to register their cats and ensure they are adequately identified with owners name, address, and telephone number. It is recommended that cat owners microchip and de-sex their cats.
An approval is required if you have:
- More than two (2) cats over the age of three (3) months on an allotment in a designated town area.
To register your dog or cat, please contact us on 07 4658 4111, or drop into one of our main administration offices in Longreach, Ilfracombe or Isisford.
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Under Subordinate Local Law No.2 (Animal Management) 2011 there are circumstances in which the keeping of animals is prohibited or requires approval.
Schedule 1 - Prohibition on keeping animals: Subordinate Local Law No. 2 (Animal Management) 2011
Fact Sheets
Below are a number of fact sheets that address some of the most commonly occurring Animal Control issues. If you require more information or assistance, please don't hesitate to contact our Regulatory Services team by calling (07) 4658 4111.
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