It is a sad reflection on the community that many thousands of dogs are destroyed each year because they are unwanted or cannot be controlled. This section provides information on dog ownership in the City of Busselton.

Dog Registration

All dogs over the age of three months must be licensed with the City of Busselton where they normally reside. The registration period runs from 1 November to October 31. Registration helps you to recover your dog if lost and assists the Shire to encourage responsible dog ownership and provide services to dog owners for the benefit of the whole community.

50% Concessional Rates apply for pensioners and 75% Concessional Rates apply for working dogs. To obtain a concession rate on registration of sterilised dogs, the sterilisation certificate must be produced when obtaining a dog licence.

Should you move within the State, you do not have to re-register your dog, but the change of address must be given to the Shire where the dog was previously registered. All dogs must be kept on a lead whilst on any street or reserve, and effectively restrained at all times.

Failure to remove or adequately dispose of dog excreta constitutes an offence under the laws of the Dog Act 1976. Disposable Poo-ch Pouches are available from the City of Busselton Administration office – Free of Charge.

The Shire is concerned at the increasing incidents of dogs roaming at large, harassing stock and creating a traffic hazard. Your co-operation is requested to help eliminate this nuisance. A person under 18 years of age may not lawfully register a dog in his or her name. The dog must be registered by a parent or another adult who will then be regarded as the lawful owner.

Pensioners ½ the normal fee

Identification Tags

When you register your dog, you will receive a plastic tag with the name of the Shire you have registered it with and a registered number printed on it. This tag must be attached to the collar of your dog. Your name and correct residential address must also be inscribed on or attached to a collar. This will allow for quick identification of the dog and prompt notification of its location.