Registering your pet for the first time
On this page:
Register your cat for the first time
Register your dog for the first time
What your pet registration includes
All cats and dogs over the age of three months must be microchipped and registered with us.
Register your pet for the first time online. You will be asked to upload digital copies of relevant supporting documents, such as a microchipping certificate. Note that a letter or statutory declaration is not acceptable proof of microchipping or desexing. Pets can only be registered in one person’s name, not in a company name.
Change an existing registration if you need to update or cancel your pet's registration, or change your contact details.
If you have never registered your cat with Darebin, choose the registration type that applies to you and your cat below.
Your cat must be microchipped before being registered. Microchipping greatly improves chances of your cat being returned to you if it becomes lost.
A once-only $6.50 administration fee is included in each new cat registration. From 10 October, discounted new cat registration fees apply. The following cat registration fees are valid until 10 April 2026. Refer to the below for details.
Non-desexed cat
You must provide proof that your cat has been microchipped.
Fees:
- Standard fee $126.00
- Pensioner's fee $63.00
Register a non-desexed cat Register a non-desexed cat as a pensioner
Desexed cat
Proof of microchipping and desexing is required.
Fees:
- Reduced fee $42.00
- Pensioner's fee $21.00
Register a desexed cat Register a desexed cat as a pensioner
Cat over 10 years old
Proof of microchipping is required.
Fees:
- Reduced fee $42.00
- Pensioner's fee $21.00
Register a cat over 10 years Register a cat over 10 years as a pensioner
Cat registered with an organisation
This registration is for cats that are registered with one of the following organisations:
Fees:
- Reduced fee $42.00
- Pensioner's fee $21.00
Current paid certificate of membership is required.
Register a cat registered with an organisation Register a cat registered with an organisation as a pensioner
I'm not sure what to register my cat as
If you're unsure what category to register you cat, please call our customer service team for help on 03 8470 8888. Alternatively, you can complete a written application for pet registration. We will assess your application and invoice you accordingly.
Download pet registration form(PDF, 284KB)
If you have never registered your dog with Darebin, choose the registration type that applies to you and your dog from the below.
A once-only $6.50 administration fee has been included in each new dog registration. From 10 October, discounted new dog registration fees apply. The following fees above are valid until 10 April 2026.
Non-desexed dog
You must provide proof that your dog has been microchipped.
Fees:
- Standard fee $180.00
- Pensioner fee $90.00
Register a non-desexed dog Register a non-desexed dog as a pensioner
Desexed dog
You must provide proof that your dog has been microchipped and desexed.
Fees:
- Reduced fee $60.00
- Pensioner fee $30.00
Register a desexed dog Register a desexed dog as a pensioner
Dog over 10 years old
You must provide proof that your dog has been microchipped.
Fees:
- Reduced fee $60.00
- Pensioner fee $30.00
Register a dog over 10 years Register a dog over 10 years as a pensioner
Dog registered with an organisation
Dogs that are registered with one of the following organisations:
- Dogs Victoria (Victorian Canine Association)
- Master Breeders and Associates
Current paid certificate of membership is required.
Fees:
- Reduced fee $60.00
- Pensioner fee $30.00
Register a dog registered with an organisation Register a dog registered with an organisation as a pensioner
Dog with approved obedience training
Dogs that have achieved a certificate recognised by the Dogs Victoria (Victorian Canine Association) from these approved obedience training associations:
A copy of the certificate is required.
Fees:
- Reduced fee $60.00
- Pensioner fee $30.00
Register a dog with approved obedience training Register a dog with approved obedience training as a pensioner
Dangerous, menacing or restricted breed dogs
These dogs cannot be registered online. Please call our Customer Service team for further information on 03 8470 8888.
Fee: $330.00
One free registration for pensioners
Pensioners get one free animal registration yearly for each household. This applies to the lowest-cost animal registered at the property. This offer does not apply to declared dangerous, menacing dogs or restricted breed dogs.
To be eligible for a discount, you must be the holder of a current Pensioner Concession Card (Centrelink, or Veterans’ Affairs) or Department of Veteran Affairs Gold Card which specifies TPI or War Widow. Discounts do not apply for Health Care Card holders.
For applicants that are not eligible for a pensioner free registration, we will provide you an invoice at the pensioner reduced rate.
Download pet registration form(PDF, 284KB)
I'm not sure what to register my dog as
Please call our customer service team for help on 03 8470 8888. Alternatively, you can complete a written application for pet registration. We will assess your application and invoice you accordingly.
Download pet registration form(PDF, 284KB)
When you register your dog or cat, you receive a lifetime tag with a unique number that must be fastened to your pet's collar.
You pet registration includes:
- a "Return Home" service - if your registered pet is collected by a Darebin ranger, every attempt will be made to contact you with the aim of returning you pet to you as quickly as possible
- a 24/7 emergency collection service
- a pound service, the Wat Djerring Animal Facility, that is currently run by the Cities of Whittlesea, Merri-bek and Darebin. If your animal is currently registered and wearing its Darebin registration tag, you will be contacted as soon as possible to collect your pet
- part of the registration fee includes the state government levy which is used to help provide education programs for schools and preschools as well as adults. The levy is also used to fund state government research into dog and cat welfare and control issues
- one free pet registration per household for pensioners (the cheaper pet will receive the free registration where there are multiple pets per household).
If you move house, update your contact details with us to allow us to quickly reunite you with your pet.