Registering your pet for the first time
All cats and dogs over the age of three months must be microchipped and registered with us.
Change an existing registration
Update or cancel your pet's registration, or change your contact details.
Cats
Your cat must be microchipped before being registered. Microchipping greatly improves chances of your cat being returned to you if it becomes lost.
To register online, you will need to upload digital copies of relevant supporting documents, such as the microchipping certificate. Please 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).
Register your cat for the first time with Darebin
If you have never registered your cat with Darebin, choose the registration button that applies to you and your cat.
A once-only $6 administration fee also applies to each new pet registration.
Cat registration fees
| My cat is ... |
Fee |
Pensioner's fee |
Non-desexed cat
You must provide proof that your cat has been microchipped. |
Standard
fee $120
Register |
Pensioner
fee $60
Register |
Desexed cat
Proof of microchipping and desexing is required. |
Reduced
fee $40
Register |
Pensioner
fee $20
Register |
Cat over 10 years old
Proof of microchipping is required. |
Reduced
fee $40
Register |
Pensioner
fee $20
Register |
Cat registered with an organisation
This registration is for cats that are registered with one of the following organisations:
Current paid certificate of membership is required. |
Reduced
fee $40
Register |
Pensioner
fee $20
Register |
I am not sure what category my cat is
Please call our customer service team on 03 8470 8888 for help
Alternatively, you can complete a written application for pet registration. We will assess your application and invoice you accordingly. |
Download pet registration form(PDF, 289KB) |
The fees above are valid until 10 April 2025.
Dogs
Register your dog for the first time with Darebin
If you have never registered your dog with Darebin, choose the registration button that applies to you and your dog.
A once-only $6 administration fee also applies to each new pet registration.
| My dog is ... |
Fee |
Pensioner's fee |
Non-desexed dog
You must provide proof that your dog has been microchipped. |
Standard
fee $174
Register |
Pensioner
fee $87
Register |
Desexed dog
Proof of microchipping and desexing is required. |
Reduced
fee $58
Register |
Pensioner
fee $29
Register |
Dog over 10 years old
Proof of microchipping is required. |
Reduced
fee $58
Register |
Pensioner
fee $29
Register |
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. |
Reduced
fee $58
Register |
Pensioner
fee $29
Register |
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. |
Reduced
fee $58
Register |
Pensioner
fee $29
Register |
Dangerous, menacing or restricted breed dogs
These dogs cannot be registered online
Please call our customer service team on 03 8470 8888 for further information. |
Fee $320
Call customer service for assistance |
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, 289KB) |
I am not sure what category my dog is
Please call our customer service team on 03 8470 8888 for help.
Alternatively, you can complete a written application for pet registration. We will assess your application and invoice you accordingly. |
Download pet registration form(PDF, 289KB)
|
The fees above are valid until 10 April 2025.
What your pet registration includes
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.