About animals and pests

Berri Barmera Council recognises that pets are a very important part of our everyday life.

As companions, they fulfil a vital role in society by providing companionship and unconditional love for their owners.

Berri Barmera Council is committed to supporting responsible pet ownership throughout the community.

Whether you're a dog, cat or other animal owner, this section provides information about Council's management of pets, including a list of current impounded animals.

Pest Control

Certain animals and insects can be classified as pests, including rats, mosquitoes, cockroaches and pigeons. While these pests may be a nuisance and health risk, Council cannot remove pests from private property.

We can offer some information for certain methods regarding pest issues that residents may experience, however it is residents’ responsibility to manage pest control on their properties.

If you have any concerns about pest activity at a home or business near you, if you think there is a condition that is attracting pests (such as squalor or rubbish build-up), or if you notice European wasps or bees on Council property, notify Council by calling us 8582 1922 so that we can launch an investigation.

Animal Management Plan

Berri Barmera Council's Animal Management Plan seeks to maintain a balanced approach that caters to everyone's needs including domestic pets and their owners, the wider community and those responsible for animal management.

View current  Plan of Management relating to Dogs and Cats

Desexing

From the 1st of July 2018, all dogs and cats born after 1 July 2018 must be desexed by a registered veterinary surgeon:

• before it is 6 months of age; or
• within 28 days after the owner takes possession of the dog or cat; or
• if the owner of a dog or cat is granted an extension of time, before the day specified in the exemption.

There are exemptions for desexing prescribed in the Act and in the Regulations:

• vets may grant an exemption based on it posing an undue risk to the health of the dog or cat or adversely affecting the growth, development or wellbeing of the dog or cat
• dogs and cats born before 1 July 2018 do not have to be desexed
• dogs defined as a "working livestock dog" as per the definition in the Act are exempt from desexing
• dogs belonging to Dogs SA members are exempt
• cats belonging to a FASA or Cat Fancy of SA members are exempt
• greyhounds currently registered to Greyhound Racing SA are exempt (retired greyhounds are not exempt)
• Board exemption

Microchipping

From 1 July 2018, all dogs and cats must be mircochipped.

Owners must microchip their dogs and cats by 12 weeks of age or at the point of sale.  This includes dogs and cats that are more than 12 weeks of age on 1 July 2018.

Owners are encouraged to take advantage of the numerous discounted microchipping days throughout the state.  Visit www.chipblitz.com for upcoming dates, locations and to make a booking.  Alternatively, contact your local vet.

Microchipping is the most effective form of permanent identification of your dog or cat.

Breeders

There are new laws regulating the breeding and sale of dogs and cats.  These changes are designed to weed out unscrupulous breeders from the industry.

The most important changes to the law are:

• breeders and sellers must adhere to the new South Australian Standards and Guidelines for Breeding and Trading Companion Animals, from 1 August 2017.
• If you are a breeder and seller and you intend to sell a dog or cat after 1 July 2018, you must register as a breeder with the Dog and Cat Management Board.
• You must not sell a dog or cat unless it has been desexed (by 6 months of age) and microchipped (by 12 weeks of age) in accordance with the Act.
• If you are a breeder and sell any advertisement you place for the sale of a dog or cat must include your contact details and breeder registration number and provide the buyer with specific information