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Animal Ownership

Dogs

All dogs over three months of age are required to be registered and the registration tag must be attached to the dog’s collar at all times. A maximum of two dogs can be kept per property, and permits to keep more than two dogs will be granted by the Toowoomba Regional Council in certain circumstances. The American Pit Bull Terrier, and crosses of this breed, are prohibited.

Cost of Registration: Desexed dog with obedience training: $10 per year ($12.50 for second dog), $7.50 for concession holders.Desexed: $20 per year ($25 for second dog), $15 for concession holdersEntire dog with obedience training: $40 per year ($50 for second dog), $30 for concession holders.Entire dog: $80 per year ($100 for second dog), $60 for concession holders
In order to be given the discounted rate for obedience training, a certificate from the Toowoomba Dog Obedience Club must be produced. The registration fee is due on July 1 each year and replacement tags cost $5.

The Toowoomba Regional Council also offers a desexing voucher scheme. Once the dog is registered, the owner can obtain a voucher from the Environment and Health Branch or the Animal Management Centre. This will give the owner a discount off the price of desexing, $70 for female dogs and $50 for male dogs. However, this voucher may actually result in dog owners paying more. (For example, if you registered a male dog without obedience training, it would cost you $80, and you would receive a $50 discount off desexing. However, if you had the dog desexed at full price, you would only have to pay $20 for registration. Thus, you actually come out $10 worse off by using the Council’s voucher scheme).

Cats

The Toowoomba Regional Council requires that all cats be registered. A desexed cat costs $10 per year to register, while an entire cat costs $30 per year. Up to three cats per household can be kept and in certain circumstances a permit for more than three cats will be granted. Replacement tags can be purchased for five dollars.

Birds

A council permit must be granted for residents to keep more than ten geese, ducks, chickens, turkeys or any other poultry. An additional permit is required to keep a rooster.

Cost of Permits:
Permit to keep poultry: $45.00 per annum.Permit to keep a rooster: $45.00 per annum
A permit is required to keep more than 50 birds (other than poultry). However no fee is charged.

There are also extra rules for keeping birds and poultry on residential blocks:
The birds must not be allowed within two metres of the property boundaries.The birds must not be allowed within ten metres of dwellings on neighbouring properties.The bird enclosure must be located at the rear of the property and behind the residence if a residence exists on the property.

SourcesPets (2007). Toowoomba City Council. http://toowoomba.qld.gov.au.