Maribyrnong pet owners are being hit with highest pet registration fees in Melbourne’s west

MARIBYRNONG pet owners are being slugged the highest pet registration fees in Melbourne’s west.

Scott Steensma is frustrated with registration fees for his cat Cosmo. Picture: Rob Leeson

MARIBYRNONG pet owners are being slugged more than others in Melbourne’s west for pet registrations.

Maribyrnong Council’s $55 fee to register a desexed and microchipped cat or dog is 33 per cent higher than other council areas in the west.

Registration fees across the west for desexed, microchipped cats and dogs range from $22.50 (Wyndham Council) to $55 (Maribyrnong), with the average $41.

Maribyrnong is the only council in Melbourne’s west to charge the same registration fee for both dogs and cats, which means to register a cat costs about double.

Footscray cat owner Scott Steensma said the registration costs were “unjustified”.

“It’s a bit rich, all other council areas are substantially cheaper,” Mr Steensma said.

Lost Pets in the West founder Dorothy Mack said the fees were harsh, especially for people with multiple pets.

“I’d almost have to take out a mortgage to register my pets (three cats and two dogs) over there,” Ms Mack said.

The animal registration year started on April 11. All cats and dogs more than three months of age must be microchipped and registered with a council by law.

Many on social media have argued that cats should have a lower rate of registration due to not requiring council-run facilities such as dog parks and off-leash parks.

Maribyrnong Council declined to comment when contacted.