Fleurieu and KI dog and cat owners are being urged to ensure their pet’s details are up to date in the state-wide register ahead of annual registration renewals.

In July renewal notices will be sent to dog and cat owners across the state and, to ensure a renewal notice is received, the Dog and Cat Management Board is calling on pet owners to update or register their information in Dogs and Cats Online this week.

In South Australia, all dogs and cats must be desexed, microchipped and registered in Dogs and Cats Online within 14 days of taking ownership if the pet is older than three months.

Dog and Cat Management Board Chair David Parkin says it is vital that owners take the time to update details and to register their pets as soon as possible.

“If your pet happens to escape, the details on their microchip can be the difference of whether or not they can be returned to you,” he says.

“For cats specifically, shelters have reported that 97 per cent of cats can’t be returned because owners have not registered a microchip in Dogs and Cats Online and kept the information up to date.

“It is also important to note that, just because your pet is microchipped, it doesn’t automatically mean they are registered in Dogs and Cats Online. Microchip details might be listed on other databases, but in SA it is a requirement for them to be included in Dogs and Cats Online.

“We strongly recommend that all pet owners head to Dogs and Cats Online to ensure their pets are registered on the site and that their details are up to date.”

Owners will have until August 31 to complete their renewals in Dogs and Cats Online and pay any associated fees, or risk possible late fees.

Anyone who needs help to register a dog or cat, contact the local council.

The Board’s website has information on the state dog and cat laws, along with tips for potential and current owners.