Pet Registration is Due Now!
It's time to register your dogs and cats. Registering your pet means if they ever get lost, you'll be reunited as quickly as possible.
Renewals are due every year between 1 July and 31 August, and even if you don't receive a reminder, it's still your responsibility to register.
Dog registration fees apply; cats are free. Visit Dogs and Cats Online (DACO).
Registering Your Pet
Registering your pet means that if they get lost, you’ll be reunited as quickly as possible. The DACO database also holds information about microchipping, desexing, breeder, veterinarian details, and other historical information. You can even update where your dog might be staying while you’re away on holidays.
- All dogs must be registered by 3 months of age, or within two weeks of ownership.
- Cat information is required to be recorded into DACO and there are no fees to register your cat in Charles Sturt.
All dogs and cats must be:
- Microchipped by 3 months of age or within 28 days of ownership
- Desexed by 6 months of age, or within 28 days of ownership, if they are born after 1 July 2018
Learn more about microchipping and desexing.
Pet Registration Lottery - Register to Win!
This year, we’re rewarding responsible pet owners with our Pet Registration Lottery!
Simply register your dog or cat during the renewal period (1 July – 31 August 2026) to go into the draw. Weekly prizes are up for grabs for both cats and dogs – so register early for more chances to win!
Click to read the Pet Registration Lottery Terms & Conditions.
Online
Access to Dogs and Cats Online (DACO) is currently restricted to public for maintenance.
In person or over the phone
You can register your pet over the phone or in person by visiting our Civic Centre or libraries during business hours. Please note we only take EFTPOS payments for registrations.
Civic Centre
72 Woodville Road, Woodville
Customer Contact
8408 1111
Please note, if you are initially registering your dog over the phone you will still need to upload the relevant documents to Dogs and Cats Online.
Dog registrations are due every year between 1 July and 31 August. Please note that registrations are due in this time no matter when you initially registered the dog.
You'll receive your registration renewal in July each year via email, post or SMS. The contact you receive depends on your preferred contact method noted in your initial registration.
Cats also receive a renewal notice, but they are simply a confirmation of your details and do not require payment.
There are no fees for registering your cat.
See below all fees for registering your dog. Concession card holders and applicable dog training completion can get further discounts from set fees.
| 2026-27 fees | |
Standard dog | $60 |
Non-Standard dog | $120 |
Puppy | 50% off relevant registration fee (rounded to nearest $0.50, not including late payment fees/replacement disc) |
Trained dog | Additional $5 off relevant registration fee (rounded to nearest $0.50, not including late payment fees/replacement disc) |
Concession card holders
| 50% off relevant registration fee (rounded to nearest $0.50, not including late payment fees/replacement disc) |
First year of registration for rescue dogs | No fee |
Accredited Assistance dogs* | No fee |
Dogs involved in a dog business* | $120.00 |
Miscellaneous Fees | $10 |
* As defined by the Dog and Cat Management Act 1995
When you register your dog, they'll get a lifetime registration number on a grey disc. You can put it on your dog's collar.
This is a permanent registration number that remains with your pet, even if you move to a different area or council, or if you transfer ownership of the dog.
Your dog's registration number must be clearly identifiable at all times. You can add the tag to their collar, have their registration number engraved on their ID disk, or embroider it on their collar. You will receive your initial lifetime tag number with your first registration.
Dog registration fees help fund a range of animal management services here at the City of Charles Sturt.
Each South Australian council sets its own registration fees and discounts each year – for example, discounts may be available for concession cardholders, puppies, or trained dogs. That's why registration costs vary from council to council across the state. (Cat registration, is free in the City of Charles Sturt.)
Your registration fees go toward our animal management services and a proactive, education-first approach to looking after animals in our community. That includes our officers collecting wandering dogs, investigating barking complaints and dog attacks or harassment, and patrolling our reserves and dog parks.
We also run free programs and events, like our recent Doggy Day in May and the Beach Education Program, to work with the community on responsible pet ownership and respectful use of our shared public spaces.
We are committed to providing useful, practical resources for our community, including:
Under the Dog and Cat Management Act 1995, 24% of all dog registration fees are paid to the Dog and Cat Management Board.
The Board supports councils with providing advice and information regarding our legal responsibilities, advocating for local government at the State level, and statewide educational campaigns relating to responsible pet ownership.
