Pets & Animals

Dog Registration

Under the Dog Control Act 2000 (Tas), all dog owners must register their dogs over the age of six months with the local council.

It is simple to register your dog by either downloading the Dog Registration Form or by calling into the Council office, completing the registration form and paying the fee to receive your dog tag.

Please remember to bring along proof that your dog has been de-sexed in order to receive the discounted price. You will also need to bring along a signed statutory declaration form if you are registering a working dog. This can be found on the reverse side of the Dog Registration Form.

The benefit of Dog Registration is that it assists Council in reuniting you with your dog if it becomes lost, is impounded and supports other dog-related matters such as the investigation for dog attacks and other offences. Failure to register your dog may result in enforcement action including fines and seizure of your dog.

All current registered dog owners will receive an application form in the mail to renew registration. If you have not received a form or are a new dog owner, you can download a form.

Download a Dog Registration Form here

If the unfortunate situation arises and your pet dies, you are required to notify the Council within 14 days, or as soon as possible, of the dog’s death. This also applies if your dog is lost or permanently removed from your premises. Once notified, the Council will cancel your dog’s registration.

Kennel Licences

If you keep three or more dogs on your property you will need to apply for a Kennel Licence. There are two administrative pathways, the Standard Kennel Licence and the Domestic Companion Dog Kennel Licence.

1. A Standard Kennel Licence is required where the proposed activity involves:

• Keeping more than four (4) dogs over six months of age on the property
• Breeding dogs
• Boarding dogs for reward
• Dog day-care services
• Commercial dog grooming
• The sale of puppies or dogs as part of a breeding enterprise; or
• Any other commercial dog-related enterprise.

All dogs over the age of six months are required to be registered.

2. A Domestic Companion Dog Kennel Licence is available where:

• Three (3) or four (4) dogs over six (6) months of age are kept on the property
• All dogs are registered
• All dogs are desexed
• All dogs are kept solely as companion animals; and
• No breeding, boarding, dog day-care, dog grooming, dog training or any other commercial dog-related activity occurs on the premises.

No application fee applies to a Domestic Companion Dog Kennel Licence. Refer to the Domestic Companion Dog Kennel Licence application form.

Domestic Companion Dog Kennel Licence Application Form

To apply for a standard kennel licence, you will need to complete the kennel licence application paperwork and submit it to Council, who will review the application and conduct a site inspection to ensure that the premises are appropriate and won't cause an annoyance to your neighbours. You are also required to submit the Notice of Intention to Apply for a Kennel Licence form to the King Island Courier newspaper, advertised in the Public Notices Section. A copy of the advertisement is to be submitted to Council with the application once it has been published.

You are then required to provide payment for Kennel Licence fees.

Further information and application form for a kennel licence can be found here Kennel Licence Application 2026-27

Please see below fees associated with registering your dog:

Fees

All Dogs MUST be microchipped unless exempt under Section 15A(2) of the Dog Control Act 2000.

Renewal registration fee - Due by 31 August 2026. A 30% penalty fee applies to registrations after 31 August 2026.

Registration forms need to be filled in and signed before a tag is allocated.

All fees and charges are inclusive of GST where applicable

Responsible Dog Ownership

Dogs that are well managed cause few problems and rarely come to the attention of the Council. Unfortunately, it is when dogs are acquired with little forethought, for the wrong reasons or when they are left unsupervised, problems may occur.

Owning a dog comes with responsibilities, not only from a duty of care perspective, but also under the Dog Management Policy 2025.

The purpose of this plan is to achieve a balance between meeting the needs of dog owners and the needs and expectations of others in the community, working towards improved animal management on King Island.

The Dog Management Policy 2025 provides guidelines for dog owners and prospective owners that will assist in producing healthy and happy dogs and provide a harmonious community for all residents.

Dogs are an important part of society and many value their companionship. As with any animal there are standards of care and welfare that need to be observed. The views and concerns of neighbours and other members of the community need to be considered.

Responsible dog ownership requires accepting full responsibility for dogs, in terms of their needs and the standards for dog management that are expected by the community.

Dog owners who do not register their dogs by 31 August will incur a 30% penalty.

Pre-Purchase Guidelines

Dogs are valuable companion animals that require a commitment to their welfare over their entire lifespan. In order to fully understand the obligation, research should be undertaken prior to making the final purchase decision.

Some issues that need to be considered before purchasing a dog are:

• the breed of the dog, and its suitability to the home environment e.g. the number and age of family members, compatibility with other pets, size of the yard, adequacy of fencing, proximity of neighbours, housing of dog
• vaccinations and ongoing veterinary requirements
• dietary requirements
• arrangements if going on holidays - proximity and cost of kennels
• familiarisation with the community environment e.g. proximity and location of dog exercise areas, areas in which dogs are prohibited, location of veterinary clinics
• initial and continuing costs e.g. purchase, vaccination, microchipping, de-sexing, veterinary costs, registration costs, dietary requirements, obedience classes, grooming
• regulations governing dog management - Dog Control Act 2000, Dog Management Plan 2018, Animal Welfare (Dogs) Regulations 2016.

Post-Purchase Guidelines

Having made the decision to purchase a companion animal, the following actions are recommended during the first six months to ensure a healthy and happy dog:

• socialisation and education of your dog, providing access and exposure to a variety of experiences
• appropriate vaccination and veterinary checks
• access to training and opportunities for playing
• microchipping - new mandatory reporting of chip numbers to Council
• identification for the dog prior to registration
• de-sexing
• appropriate diet
• registration by six months of age

The previous actions are important in the first six months, but an ongoing commitment in the following areas are important to ensure the happiness and safety of your dog:

• health and welfare aspects
• ongoing obedience training
• opportunities for exercise and play
• adherence to regulatory requirements

Consideration of Others

As a member of the broader community, there are obligations for us all in considering the impact of our actions on others. For the dog owner this includes taking action to:

• ensure your dog does not bark excessively
• ensure your dog does not wander off your property boundary
• clean up after your pet
• keep no more than two dogs on your property without a kennel licence
• ensuring your dog is under effective control at all times
• not allowing your dog to jump at, or lick people. This playful nature might not be accepted by all persons

Lost Dogs

If your dog is lost, it may have been collected by the Ranger and transported to the pound. Owners should make every effort to locate missing dogs by contacting the Council.

Restricted Breeds & Dangerous Dogs

The Government of Tasmania has introduced regulations relating to restricted dog breeds. The keeping of these dogs is not prohibited, however special requirements do apply.

Under the legislation, a 'restricted breed dog' is defined as a breed whose importation into Australia is prohibited under the Commonwealth Customs (Prohibited Imports) Regulations 1956. At present this includes either pure or cross breeds of the following dogs:

• Dogo Argentino (Argentinian Fighting Dog)
• Fila Brasileiro (Brazilian Fighting Dog)
• Japanese Tosa
• American Pit Bull Terrier
• Pit Bull Terrier breeds and
• Perro de Presa Canario

A dog may also be declared dangerous if:

• the dog has caused serious injury to a person or another animal; or
• there is reasonable cause to believe that the dog is likely to cause serious injury to a person or another animal

Under the Dog Control Act 2000, owners of restricted breeds and dangerous dogs are required to follow special guidelines. These include the declaration of a dangerous dog, effective dog control, microchipping and de-sexing of the dog and the notification to Council if a dangerous dog goes missing, dies or is transferred ownership.

More information regarding these guidelines and the keeping of these dogs can be found in the Dog Management Policy 2025 or by contacting the Ranger.

Responsible Cat Ownership

Under the Cat Management Act 2009 (Tas), owners are required to have cats microchipped and desexed before they reach four months of age, unless exempt under the Act.

Cat owners are not bound by law to confine a cat. However, Council strongly recommends for the benefit of your cat, your neighbours and local wildlife that you keep your cat confined to your house and yard. Visit tassiecat.com.au for containment ideas and advice on transitioning your cat.

Council is not directly involved in the management of cats, but we do encourage and support responsible cat ownership.

The management of Cats in Tasmania is guided by the controls set out in the Cat Management Act 2009. The Cat Management Act 2009 is administered by the Department of Primary Industries, Parks, Water and Environment (DPIPWE). A good guide to cat management in Tasmania, and information for cat owners and the general community can be found here https://nre.tas.gov.au/invasive-species/responsible-cat-ownership.

Cat Owner Responsibilities

For the wellbeing of your cat and for the benefit of the community and native wildlife a responsible cat owner should ensure the following:

• That you choose a cat appropriate to your circumstances and the environment within which you live
• That your cat is under effective control and supervision at all times, which includes preventing the cat from roaming outside your property and trespassing on private or public land reserves or roadways to protect residents' amenity, other animals and to avoid vehicle accidents
• That you take reasonable steps to ensure your cat is under effective control and supervision with particular emphasis on restricting the cat from National Parks and Reserved Land
• That your cat does not cause nuisance to wildlife, domestic animals or people's total amenity
• That you keep only de-sexed cats unless specifically kept for breeding or neutering of the animal would be detrimental to its health; in which case the animal should always be confined to the owner's property to assist with controlling unwanted populations of stray and feral cats
• You provide training and other education for your cat if practical to assist with avoiding nuisance and to maintain control
• You provide adequate veterinary attention to each case as required.

Birds of King Island

Home to over 200 species of birds, King Island acts as a biological stepping-stone between Tasmania and mainland Australia. For birds migrating North and South, the Island is a vital stopover to rest and refuel. King Island is home to six endemic subspecies, as well as 10 endemic Tasmanian species.

Explore the Birds of King Island (BoKI) world through the dedicated website: www.birdsofkingisland.com. With a range of activities and detailed information, these resources serve as a vital hub for bird watchers, ornithologists and conservationists interested in the bird species on King Island.

Discover comprehensive information about the different bird species inhabiting King Island and where to find them.

Learn about the 'Wings on King' project, which focuses on monitoring and supporting the bird biodiversity on King Island. Using Birds as Indicators of the health of the whole Island, data is used to identify conservation areas of most importance and undertake actions to ensure a sustainable future for the Island, its people, and its wildlife.

Visit Birds of King Island

Beekeeping

Urban beekeeping can be an enjoyable hobby, producing a healthy nutritious product for home consumption. Bee keeping is low risk to the human population, however, can cause community concern, especially by neighbours. Beekeepers must take special care so their bees do not become a nuisance to neighbours, or even appear to be a problem. Talk to your neighbours before establishing a hive.

As part of the implementation of the Biosecurity Act 2019 (the Act), beekeeping is now considered a ‘regulated dealing’ and under the Act, a person must not engage in a regulated dealing unless they are registered. Therefore, registration is now compulsory for all Tasmanian commercial and recreational beekeepers. This requirement was formalised in new Biosecurity Regulations 2022 which came into effect on 2 November 2022.

Biosecurity Tasmania has implemented BeeTAS to assist beekeepers with managing their registrations. BeeTAS can be accessed at www.nre.tas.gov.au/beekeeper-registration.

The online system allows beekeepers to:

• register or renew their registration;
• maintain their apiary site information;
• record inspection details, record hive purchases, disposals and hive movements; and
• upload training certification and laboratory results.

The Tasmanian Beekeepers Association’s “Urban Beekeeping Code of Practice” aims to ensure that the keeping of honey bees does not have a negative impact on people, property, domestic animals or native flora or fauna. The code of practice can be found at www.tasmanianbeekeepers.org.au/code-of-practice-for-urban-beekeeping-in-tasmania

Key info

• You must register as a beekeeper in Tasmania if you keep bees commercially or for recreation.
• Using the BeeTAS online portal you can register or renew your beekeeper registration, as well as manage and maintain your apiary site information and beekeeping activities.
• As a registered beekeeper, you must comply with all conditions of registration including the Australian Honey Bee Industry Biosecurity Code of Practice (PDF, 6.2MB). If you have more than 50 hives you must perform annual honey testing and provide a certification of compliance (PDF, 58KB).
• If you have any questions about registering as a beekeeper in Tasmania, please email honeybee.biosecurity@nre.tas.gov.au.