UPDATE: The Moorabool Council has just adopted its new Domestic Animal Management Plan (DAMP) for 2026-29, significantly tightening regulations around pet ownership in the shire. This urgent initiative aims to enhance responsible pet ownership, improve animal welfare, and ensure effective compliance over the next four years.
The plan was confirmed following extensive community consultation via the council’s Have Your Say platform, where more than 4,000 registered pet owners were contacted. The response was overwhelming, with 70 submissions received, predominantly supporting the council’s focus on education and responsible pet ownership.
Cr Rod Ward voiced concern about the decrease in registered pets despite a growing population in Moorabool. “I noticed that despite the increase in Moorabool’s population significantly over the last five years, the number of dogs and cats registered has actually decreased,” he stated. “Increasing registration education is a priority.”
Key priorities of the DAMP include heightened community education on microchipping, registration, desexing, and animal containment. Additionally, the council will enhance training for authorized officers and improve data collection to better assess animal management services.
With animal registration deadlines approaching in April, the council is launching a media campaign alongside community engagement forums to boost awareness and compliance. Officials stress the importance of these measures in safeguarding animal welfare and ensuring that all pets are properly registered.
This new plan is not just a bureaucratic formality; it represents a significant shift in how the council approaches pet ownership and animal welfare in Moorabool. As the community adapts to these changes, residents are encouraged to participate in upcoming forums and stay informed through council communications.
Stay tuned for more updates as this story develops. The future of pet ownership in Moorabool is taking shape, and it’s crucial for pet owners to engage with these important changes.
