Dog ownership

• Dogs over the age of three months are required to be registered with a local government. Registering your dog assists authorities in contacting you in case your pet strays and / or is injured, sick or lost;
• It is an offence to have an unregistered dog and a modified penalty of $200 can be imposed;
• All dogs are required to wear a collar with a valid registration tag and an on-the-spot fine of $200 can be imposed;
• If you have lost the registration tag for your pet, a replacement tag can be purchased from the Shire for $2.00;
• All new dogs registered or transferred from another local government are required to be micro-chipped.  Dogs already registered will be required to be microchipped by 1 November 2015.
• When registering your pet, you are required to make a declaration to certify that the property where the dog is kept is capable of confining the dog within those premises;
• Tethering is not considered an effective means of confinement, and is an offence;
• Approval shall be required from the Shire to keep more than the required numbers of dogs permitted for a property; Residential / Semi-Residential = 2 dogs, Rural Properties = 4 dogs.  Please contact Ranger Services for further information regarding additional dogs;
• False declarations can attract a penalty of up to $5000.

Registration Fees

Registration fees can  be paid at the Margaret River or Augusta Shire offices during business hours 9:00am - 4:00pm.  Renewals are normally due within 21 days of 1st November.

• Certificate of sterilisation or statutory declaration is required on registration to receive the sterilised rate.
• From 1 November 2015 it will be a legal requirement for all dogs to be microchipped.

Registration concessions

• Pensioners who hold a current, approved Pension Concession Card will be entitled to a 50% reduction in fees. 
• New dog registrations processed after 31 May and before 1 November in the year of the first registration will receive a 50% reduction off the 1yr registration fee.  This reduction is not applicable for 3yr or Lifetime registrations.
• A working dog concession is applicable for farmers who are using their dog(s) to tend to livestock.  A 'concession for working dog registration' form is required to be completed by the owner on registration of the working dog confirming: the dog is trained & used primarily for droving or tending stock (more than 8 head of stock), the dog resides and works on a property larger than 2 hectares and the dog is a recognised working dog breed.  A 75% reduction in fees is applicable for a working dog concession.
• Authorised Guide dogs and special needs dogs are exempt from fees, but they must still be registered.

Dog exercise areas

The following sites are designated as dog exercise areas.  These exercise areas can be used at all times except where the public place is used for a function, sports training or recreational activity approved by the Shire. When using these areas dogs can be off lead but must at all times be under effective control.

• Augusta map
  • Civic Park, Hillview Road north to the Civic Centre.
• Augusta south map
  • Leeuwin Road Park, bounded by Leeuwin Road, Osnaburg and York Streets.
  • Flinders Bay, south west incorporating beach area and to most southern pathway to beach directly in front of Flinders Bay Caravan Park.
• East Augusta map
  • Pericles Street, bounded by Davies and Pericles Streets.
• Cowaramup map
  • Recreation Ground*, bounded by Bussell Highway, Waverley Road and Cowaramup Primary School. 

• Gnarabup map​
  • Gnarabup Beach, from Narda Avenue approximately 300m south-west.
  • Gnarabup public open space, Reidle Avenue to Marmaduke Point Drive. 

• Gracetown map
  • Cowaramup Bay Road, from Cowaramup Brook  to Salter Street.
  • Recreation Hall Reserve, west of the hall.
• Margaret River map
  • Georgette, bounded by Georgette Drive and McKeown Place.
  • Hillier Park, bounded by Tingle Avenue, Spinebill Ramble and Hillier Drive.
  • Gloucester Park Nippers Oval, Mon - Fri before 3:00pm, Sat & Sun between 5:00pm - 7:00am (depending on scheduled sports).
• Prevelly map​
  • Rifle Butts Reserve excluding the children’s playground area. 
• Rosa Brook map
  • Reserve 1956, Rosa Brook Road
• Witchcliffe map
  • Mammoth Street, west of Mammoth Street bounded by Redgate Road (south), Railway Reserve (west) and May Street (north).

Animal Management Facility Collection Hours

If your animal has been impounded the following collection hours should be noted: 

9am - 4pm, Monday to Friday.

Further information

• Animal Registration Form
• Change to Animal Registration Details Form 
• Change to Animal Ownership Form