Screwed for your pooch: Where you’ll pay the most for dog rego

Dog owners in certain parts of South East Queensland will soon be paying up to four times more than others for dog registration. SEE YOUR PRICE

The price of that doggy in the window is really biting into the budgets of South East Queensland pooch owners, with some collared by registration fees almost four times more than others depending on your postcode.

An analysis of dog registration prices across South East Queensland showed Redland City Council charged the highest for desexed dogs at $98.50, compared with the Sunshine Coast which charged the lowest at $26.

Pensioners are also forced to pay $49.25 for a desexed dog in Redland City Council, compared with $0 at Sunshine Coast.

It comes weeks before many different councils are set to raise their prices in time for July 1. The price for a non-desexed dog in Brisbane will rise from $163.85 to $170.10, while a desexed dog will rise from $57.10 to $59.25. Next month the Sunshine Coast will raise its desexed price to $28.

Steve Parnham from Brisbane said there needed to be answers over the price difference.

“I think they need to validate why there’s that discrepancy,” he said.

“What’s different between the regions, and why would it be so much more expensive here versus somewhere like the Sunny Coast?”

Anna Howard said she would probably pay for whatever they charged because she loved her dog.

Jesse Lock and Ruri Anggaeri with Chilli at their dog park in Brisbane’s Bulimba. Picture: Lyndon Mechielsen

“But it doesn’t really seem fair that we have to pay more just because we live in Brisbane,” she said.

“There’s general cost of living and everything so it’s just another thing to pay for I guess.”

Dog owner Jesse Lock said for people struggling with cost of living another $40 would make a difference.

According to most councils, fees are based on the number of dogs known in the local government area and the ratepayer base, as well as services provided.

A Redland City Council spokesman said key services funded through the registration fees included conducting proactive and reactive patrols across the city, responding to complaints and responding dogs found straying.

“Council promotes responsible pet ownership by offering discounted registration fees for dogs that are desexed and microchipped,” he said.

A Brisbane City Council spokesman said the ongoing dog registration fees were priced to reflect community programs delivered.

Ruri Anggaeri with Chilli, will be impacted by Brisbane City Council price hikes. Pic: Lyndon Mechielsen

“Registration costs go towards programs to keep people and animals safe, and includes investigating reports of dog attacks, barking or wandering animals and responsible pet ownership initiatives such as DogFest and free dog training sessions,” he said.

“Registrations also help cover the costs of our 24-hour lost and found service and our animal rehoming centres.”

While some councils charge high prices, others are working hard to encourage desexed dogs and have cheap prices.

Sunshine Coast is among the cheapest for desexed dogs, but most expensive for non-desexed ones.

“Our fees are set to encourage all pet owners to desex their animals by offering a strong financial incentive in registration fee,” a Sunshine Coast Council spokesman said.

“This helps to avoid unwanted litters of puppies and kittens being dumped or surrendered, keeps pets in better general health and reduces behavioural problems such as roaming and aggression.

On the Gold Coast from July 1, new will annual fees will be $66 and for a non-desexed dog $132.

However the City of Gold Coast also provides three-year registration at a discounted rate.

Jenny Parnham with dogs Oscar (left) and Alfie at their dog park in Brisbane’s Bulimba. Picture: Lyndon Mechielsen