Dog Registration
All dogs must be registered at three months of age and then annually by August 31. For new registrations and renewals, go to Dogs and Cats Online or call into the Council offices during business hours.
It is the dog owner's responsibility to register each dog annually, regardless of whether a renewal notice was received or not.
It is also the responsibility of the dog owner to advise Council if the dog has moved, been sold, given away or if the dog is deceased.
Registration fees enable Council to:
- Provide an identification process for all dogs which allows lost dogs to be reunited with their owners
- Provide an effective communication process to dog owners and the general public
- Provide resources to develop animal management plans and to support legislation
- Provide funding for community education
- Provide enforcement of by-Laws relating to dogs
- Provide legal advice regarding enforcement of dog control legislation
- Provide an effective enforcement of dog control legislation, controlling and reducing dog problems for the community, ie investigating barking dog complaints and dog attack complaints, and
- 20% of dog registration income pays for Council's membership to the Dog and Cat Management Board which:
- provides information and advice regarding the Dog and Cat Management Act
- acts as a conduit of information between State and Local Government
- undertakes radio and television advertising campaigns to raise the awareness of responsible dog ownership,
- produces and provides councils with a range of brochures and publications, and
- provides the public with an avenue to utilise when they believe Councils have not acted in accordance with the law
Council offers free first registration of dogs adopted from Council's pound.
Concession card holders are eligible for discounted dog registration.
Click here for a list of fees for dog registration.
Lost Dogs
If a dog is picked up by Council officers and it is registered we are able to get in contact with the owner, but if it is unregistered we have no way of tracking the dog to its owner - this is why it's so important to register your dog.
When a dog cannot immediately be reunited with its owner a notice is usually placed on Facebook, on Council's website and at the Council office. Lost dogs are held at one of Council's dog pounds for 72 hours.
If you lose your dog, you should notify Council immediately during office hours.
Adopt a Dog
The Adopt a Dog program is very successful in re-homing dogs.
When you adopt a dog from the Naracoorte Lucindale Council, we offer 12 months free registration (free) and worming tablets.
If you are interested in adopting a dog from Council and helping us to find homes for some lost dogs you can register your name with Council on 08 8760 1100 or send an email to council@nlc.sa.gov.au.
You can find out more about the Adopt a Pet program by clicking the image below.
Dog Attacks and Restrictions on the Number of Dogs
Please advise Council's Compliance Officer if you have witnessed a dog attack or been attacked by a dog.
Within the Naracoorte Lucindale Council area, there are 2 dogs permitted per residential property and 3 dogs and 2 working dogs permitted on a rural property. If for some reason you need to keep more dogs than permitted, you can apply to Council for a dispensation.
For further information and a copy of the dispensation application please contact the Council on 8760 1100 or email council@nlc.sa.gov.au
Barking Dogs
Dogs are an important part of our community, however dogs that bark excessively can become a source of irritation for neighbours.
Our best friend, if it barks continually, can become an intrusion and create friction between neighbours. Neighbours can help each other to solve barking problems by communicating to each other their concerns and needs. Your neighbours may not even be aware that their dog is causing an issue.
A Barking Dog Complaint Form is available here.
Dogs on Leads
All dogs must be on leads (no longer than 2 metres in length) in streets, roads and all public places.
If you're looking for somewhere to exercise your dog off its leash then head to Memorial Oval, Naracoorte, or Market Square, Naracoorte. Memorial Oval and the Market Square Dog Park are the only off-leash areas for dogs in the Council area.
When exercising your dog "off-leash”, you need to ensure your dog is well behaved. It is the dog owner’s responsibility to ensure your dog has the right temperament and social skills to interact with other dogs and members of the public.
All other recreational areas in Naracoorte require you to ensure your dog is on a leash at all times.