Dogs
Registration
If your dog is over 3 months of age and resides in the Berri Barmera District, it needs to be registered via DogandCatsOnline.
It is also compulsory for dogs and cats to be microchipped, so please remember to have your documentation ready when you are registering.
The purpose of registering your dog is to provide quick and easy identification so if it becomes lost we'll be able to reunite you that much quicker. To register your dog, you must be 16 years or over, have an email address and you will be required to answer a few questions about your dog (name, sex, colours, etc.).
For those who do not have a computer or need assistance with the process, Council staff are available at the Berri Barmera Council office, Berri Library and Barmera Library.
Desexing
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
Berri Barmera Dog Desexing Subsidy Program
Berri Barmera Council, together with the Riverland Veterinary Clinic in Berri, have created a dog desexing subsidy program for the 2026/27 financial year.
Dog owners who meet the eligibility criteria and animal conditions will receive a reduction towards the cost of dog desexing.
To find out if you are eligible or to apply, please contact the Berri Barmera Council on 85821 922 or the Riverland Veterinary Clinic on 8582 1222.
Alternatively, please follow the link below to apply or for further information.
You can find out more by viewing our Information Guide and Application Form.
If you are eligible, please complete the application form and return in person to our office.
Other documentation
In accordance with our Council's Dog and Cat By-laws, households are limited to a maximum of two cats. For dogs, the limit is two (2) per household within township areas and up to five (5) in rural areas.
If you wish to keep more animals than the By-law permitted number, you must apply by submitting an application for approval.
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. More information and publications can be found online at the Dog and Cat Board.
Reporting non-compliant breeders
Suspected offences under the Dog and Cat Management Act 1995 can be reported to the local council in which the offence occurred.
Microchipping
Council, together with the Riverland Veterinary Clinic (Berri), are offering a dog desexing and vaccination subsidy program for the 2026/27 financial year for $10 dog microchipping.
Microchipping Subsidy Scheme Information and Application Form