Local pet owners will get a financial break this month.
Mackay Regional Council is offering an amnesty period for cat and dog owners to ensure their furry friends are registered.
For the month of April, pet owners can register their animals with the pro-rata fees waived for the remainder of the current registration period, except for declared or dangerous dogs.
The waived fees apply only to new registrations and not overdue or outstanding fees.
Mayor Greg Williamson said following the amnesty, a compliance inspection program will take place.
“This year we are doing something a little different – we are giving people the opportunity to do the right thing and get their animals registered for free, but after that period, compliance will be enforced,” Mayor Williamson said.
“Compliance checks are a costly exercise, with Local Laws having to visit a property multiple times once a warning is issued,” he said.
“By offering an amnesty leading into the inspection program, there should be no reason for animals to be unregistered.
“The fine for an owner of an unregistered animal is $333, so it’s always much cheaper to ensure your pet is registered.”
The registration compliance program will run from May 1, 2026 until June 30, during which time Local Laws officers will conduct footpath and kerbside inspections of properties.
Local laws officers will again use existing registration data and GIS mapping to identify possible areas of concern.
During last year’s compliance program, 856 animals were registered during the three-month period to the end of 2025.
“Registration ensures that lost animals can make their way home and fees help with the costs of running the Animal Management Centre,” Mayor Williamson said.
“It also helps to cover the costs of officers investigating customer requests and following up enquiries.”
