Dog Registrations
Dog registration renewals
Each year in July you will receive a registration renewal in the form you have requested post, email, or sms. Please log into Dogs and Cats Online (DACO) to update your details and check which option you have requested. When you receive your renewal it will include a unique code on it, which can be entered into DACO to register your dog. Once you check your details are correct and enter in any concession information the dog registration fee will be automatically calculated. You may then proceed to pay your dog registration.
Please note: You will not be able to renew your dog registration via DACO until you have received your renewal notice with your unique code. If you have not received your registration renewal notice by August, please contact Council on 8406 8222 and we will assist you with registering your dog.
Registering your dog
Dog registration is mandatory in South Australia. If you obtain a dog older than three months of age, then you have 14 days in which to register the dog. It doesn't matter at what time of year your first registration is done. The registered owner of a dog must be over 16 years of age.
Please visit Dogs and Cats Online (DACO) to register your dog electronically, or if you are having difficulty contact our Customer Experience Team via 8406 8222.
When registering your new dog please ensure you have with you:
- An email address
- Drivers license
- Any concession cards (your card number will be automatically validated upon entry)
- You may need certificates of microchipping/desexing if this wasn’t previously recorded with council.
If you are renewing your dog registration please also have your dog registration renewal notice (arriving July). Note: if you have not received this by August please contact Council.
For further information in regard to registration please visit the links below:
How to register a dog or cat and how to transfer a registered pet to a new owner
Buying or selling a dog or cat
What is Dogs and Cats Online?
The Dogs and Cats Online system in a one-stop online service for all registration payments, microchipping and breeder information. Since 1 July 2018 Dogs and Cats Online (DACO) has replaced the 68 individual Council dog and cat registers and serves as a single online database that is accessible 24/7, including on mobile devices.
Dogs and Cats Online has been developed to allow pet owners to instantly update registration or microchip details if you move house or change phone numbers, and pay your annual registration fees. Dogs and Cats Online will also assist Councils, shelters and the general public in reuniting lost pets with their owners.
What is permanent registration number?
From 1 July 2018, all new dog registrations will be issued with a permanent registration number. This permanent registration number remains with the animal regardless of a change of Council areas or transfer of ownership. The animal registration record will contain information about:
- The breeder of the dog
- Microchip status and who microchipped the dog
- Desexing status and who desexed the dog
- Control orders placed on the dog
- Historical information
Maintaining access to this information makes it easier for council officers to locate owners of found dogs, makes it easier to transfer registration if you move house or transfer owners, assists owners demonstrate compliance with new desexing and microchipping laws and has the capability to allow potential ill practices to be identified.
There will still be an annual registration fee for your dog. Each year the owner of the registered dog will be sent a renewal notice via their nominated method of email, sms or post.
Registration fees
Please see below for the new fee structure as set by the Dog and Cat Management Act.
New fees for the 2025/26 Financial year: |
Fees |
Non Standard Dog |
$95.00 |
Standard Dog |
$50.00 |
Non Standard Dog - Concession |
$47.50 |
Standard Dog - Concession |
$25.00 |
Non Standard Dog - Working |
$95.00 |
Standard Dog - Working |
$50.00 |
Business Registration |
$95.00 |
Assistance Dog |
$0.00 |
Why is my dog classified as a ‘non-standard’ dog?
Councils are now required to set two mandatory registration fee categories for dog registrations being ‘standard’ and ‘non-standard’ dog.
- A 'standard' dog is a dog that is both microchipped & desexed, with a discounted registration fee of $50.
- A 'non-standard' dog is a dog that is not both microchipped & desexed and attracts a full registration fee of $95.
As of 1 July 2018
- All dogs must be microchipped by three months of age or within 28 days of acquirement.
- All dogs must be desexed by six months of age or within 28 days of acquirement. Please note: The desexing requirement will not apply to dogs owned prior to 1 July 2018.
Concessions and discounts
Concession cards
A 50% concession fee is available to persons who are holders of current:
- DVA 'Gold' Card
- Pensioner Card
- Senior Health Card
- Health Card
*Proof is required for fee concessions and can be uploaded by photo when registering on Dogs and Cats Online*
Working dog
Working dogs are primarily used for droving or tending stock. Proof the dog is a working dog will be required, this can include documents such as tax records, copies of contracts, etc. current in the previous 12 months.
Guide, hearing, disability dogs
The guide dog and hearing dog concessions will be applied after to dogs that have been approved by the Dog and Cat Management Board or one of the following entities:
- Guide Dog Association of SA
- Lions Hearing Dogs.
Please see the Dog and Cat Management Board to have your dog approved as a disability dog on DACO.
Ph: (08) 7111 3468
Email: dcmb@sa.gov.au
Puppies
If you obtain a dog older than three months of age, then you have 14 days in which to register the dog. It doesn't matter at what time of year your first registration is done. Puppies are registered at the Standard dog registration rate if they are under six months of age, this discount rate is given as your dog is required to be registered by three months of age, however, you may not be able to undertake the mandatory desexing before registration is due depending on your dogs circumstances. Dogs less than three months of age as at 1 January each year are 50% off the standard dog registration fee for that financial year.
New registrations after 1 January
All dogs registered for the first time after 1 January each year, regardless of age, will be eligible for a 50% discount of off the registrations fees for that financial year.
What is happening with registration discs?
Prior to the introduction of Dogs and Cats Online, thousands of plastic dog registration discs went to landfill. Permanent registration numbers will provide significant environmental benefits by reducing South Australia’s landfill waste by 600kg per year. Dogs and Cats Online has allowed us to provide you with a single registration number that remains the same for the life of the dog regardless of where you move within the state.
If your dog registration disc has been lost or damaged, or you do not wish to use the supplied plastic disc, you are encouraged to purchase a metal dog disc, badge or tag from the provider of your choice and have it engraved with your dog’s permanent registration number.
To assist in the return of your lost dog, please ensure the permanent registration number is legible and the disc, badge, tag or other device securely attached to your dog’s collar. You are also encouraged to include name and phone number or any other contact details. If you prefer to have a plastic disc, you can request a replacement disc on Dogs and Cats Online.
More information can be found at here.
Services and benefits of dog registration
All income generated from registration and expiations is dedicated to animal management and public safety, new initiatives to improve relationships between owners and other residents, and recreational opportunities for pets and their owners. Services and benefits paid for by fees include:
- Collect, identify and reunite stray dogs with their owners
- Pound services
- Controlling and reducing unwanted dog behaviours
- Dog attack investigation and reduction
- Developing new resources for dogs and owners Services from the Dog and Cat Management Board – Legally – twenty-four percent of all fees collected are contributed to the Board
Closing date for payment of registration fees
Please note that all dogs must be registered by the time they reach three months of age and then must be re-registered each financial year. Payments should be made between 1 July and 17 August each year (with a final date to pay of 31 August).
If you obtain a dog older than three months of age, then you have 14 days in which to register the dog. It doesn't matter at what time of year your first registration is done.
If the dog is not registered in either of these cases then a penalty of $170 can be imposed. In addition to this you will also need to pay the registration fee.
Payment options
Online - DACO
All dog registrations for new dogs and renewals can now be paid online here.
In person
Please note: if you are applying for a concession, please remember to bring with you the appropriate documentation – Concession cards, desexing and microchipping proof etc..
Registrations can be paid in person at the following locations:
City of Salisbury
34 Church Street, Salisbury
8.30am to 5pm Monday to Friday
Ingle Farm Recreation Centre
Beovich Road, Ingle Farm
9am to 3pm Monday to Friday
Payment may be made by cash, cheque, money order, EFTPOS, Visa, Bankcard or Mastercard.
By telephone
Registration renewals can be paid by phoning 8406 8222 during business hours and quoting your credit card details.
Please note: Concessions are not available via phone. You are however able to log onto www.dogsandcatsonline.com.au to register your dog and enter your concession card number which will then be automatically validated by the Department of Human Services.
If any further details or information is required about the above, please contact Council on 8406 8222 during business hours.