Dog Control

The City of Albany dog pound is open to the public by appointment seven days a week between 8am and 5pm by phoning the Rangers on 9841 9349. The pound is in Mercer Road, next to the City's depot.

The City is required by legislation to keep a dog in the pound for a minimum of 72 hours to provide time for the dog to be reunited with its owner. After that period, the City seeks to find suitable homes for dogs capable of being rehoused.

If you have lost your dog, or if you are interested in giving a dog a new home, please visit the on-line Pooch Pound to view photographs of dogs currently held in the pound.

If your dog has been impounded and you wish to reclaim your pet, any outstanding pound and daily sustenance fees need to be paid at the North Road administration office prior to collection. Please note that there are no facilities at the pound itself to accept pound fees.

Impoundment fee: $50 daily

Sustenance fee: $10 (May be applied, depending on length of stay in pound)

Please note that if you have not registered your dog you will need to do so before collecting it from the pound.

All dogs over the age of three months are required under the Dog Act 1976 to be registered. Dogs should be registered before 31 October each year. Registration fees can be paid in person at the City's North Road administration office.

Registration fees are:

• Sterilised dogs:  $10 for one year and $18 for three years
• Unsterilised dogs: $30 for one year and $75 for three years
• Sterilised working dogs: $2.50 for one year or $4.50 for three years
• Unsterilised working dogs: $7.50 for one year and $18.75 for three years
• Pensioners receive a 50% discount on these fees

The Dog Act also requires that you place a numbered registration tag (which you receive from the City of Albany on registration of your dog) on your dog's collar. The tag will significantly improve the chances of your dog being returned to you in the event that it goes missing.

When taking your dog into a public area it is important that the dog is on a lead at all times. Responsible dog owners also ensure any dog excreta is picked up immediately. The City has placed "dog poo" bags at many convenient locations but we suggest that you carry your own plastic bags for this purpose.

Within authorised dog exercise areas, owners can exercise their dogs without a lead, provided the dog is under supervision and effective control. Several areas around Albany have been set aside as dog exercise areas and are shown on the dog exercise map available below.

There are other beaches throughout the district that cater for or exclude dogs. Signs on the approaches to beaches will indicate whether dogs are prohibited. If you would like further information on dog exercise areas please contact the rangers on 9841 9349.

If you have dogs in your neighbourhood that are barking constantly and for no apparent reason, you are encouraged to approach your neighbour to make them aware of your concerns. In most instances, the neighbour will appreciate being made aware of the nuisance caused by their dog(s) without official intervention.

If it is not possible to find a lasting solution, the rangers can be contacted to examine other strategies. There are some proven methods to reduce the incidence of dog barking which can be viewed at the following site.

If you wish to keep more than two dogs on your property you need to lodge a request with the City. The request should include reasons for keeping the additional dog(s), registration details and signatures of support from adjacent neighbours. The City has prepared a simple neighbour support form to accompany your request.

A recent amendment to the Dog Act 1976 requires that owners of pit bull terriers, American pit bull terriers, dogo Argentino, fila Brasileiro, Japanese tosa and perro de pressa canario (or crosses of these breeds) must have their dogs on a lead and muzzled at all times in public places and must ensure the dogs are suitably confined when on the owner's property. These dogs must also be sterilised. For more information please access the following site.