Animals and Pets
Cabonne Council plays an important role in supporting responsible pet ownership and managing animal-related services across the shire. Council’s animal and pet services focus on protecting public safety, promoting animal welfare, and supporting communities to live harmoniously with companion animals.
Council is responsible for enforcing relevant legislation relating to companion animals, including the registration and identification of dogs and cats, and ensuring compliance with microchipping and registration requirements. This includes maintaining records, educating owners about their responsibilities, and taking appropriate action when issues arise.
Animal control services are provided to manage matters such as stray and lost animals, barking dogs, roaming animals, and incidents that may pose a risk to the community. Council officers work to reunite lost pets with their owners wherever possible and promote responsible behaviour to reduce repeat incidents.
Council also supports animal welfare through community education, encouraging desexing, proper care, and responsible ownership practices. By working alongside veterinarians, animal welfare organisations, and the wider community, Cabonne Council aims to provide balanced animal and pet services that benefit both residents and their animals while maintaining safe and pleasant neighbourhoods.
Ranger Services
Contact Council's Ranger
During Opening Hours
7am - 4pm, Monday - Friday
(02) 6392 3200
After Hours
(02) 6392 3234
Rangers can assist residents who are experiencing issues with roaming, barking, or aggressive dogs.
Where possible, we suggest that you first approach the owner of the dog to make them aware that a nuisance exists.
If this is unsuccessful, our Ranger will investigate the problem and take appropriate action.
Seizure of Dogs
Council's Rangers may seize stray dogs that is in a public place and is not under the effective control of a competent person. The Ranger will deliver seized animals to our Animal Shelter.
Cats are not restricted from roaming under the Companion Animals Act and there is no power in the legislation to seize cats.
Animal Neglect or Cruelty
Our Rangers have no powers under the legislation and cannot check, investigate or take action in relation to neglect or cruelty.
Animal neglect and cruelty is dealt with by the NSW Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act 1979 which gives powers to the NSW Police Force, The Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (RSPCA) and the Animal Welfare League.
To ensure that timely and appropriate action is taken in relation to this type of circumstance please contact an appropriate authority directly.
- NSW Police Force - 131 444
Council Rangers
Council Rangers serve residents through two main functions:
- Enforcement of legislation (Acts, regulations, codes and policies); and
- Responsibility for effective animal control to ensure compliance with statutory and safety requirements.
Other responsibilities include:
- Illegal dumping of rubbish investigations.
- Footpath obstruction investigations.
- Abandoned vehicle investigations.
- Animal (domestic) control; and
- Restrictions on public reserves and roads.
Current companion animals' forms, fees & charges can be found on the Office of Local Governments website here: Forms | Office of Local Government
Free Cat and Dog Desexing/Vaccinating Vouchers
Cabonne Council offers a limited number of free dog and cat vouchers to residents on a biennial basis, alternating each year between desexing vouchers and vaccination vouchers.
Vaccination vouchers are offered one year, helping protect pets from preventable diseases and supporting their long-term health and wellbeing. Desexing vouchers are offered the alternate year and play an important role in improving animal health, reducing the risk of certain cancers and behavioural issues, and helping to prevent unwanted litters.
Together, these programs support responsible pet ownership and healthier animals within the Cabonne community.
Key Details:
- One voucher per household
- Available to Cabonne residents only
- Redeemable at:
- Molong Vet Hospital
- Orange Vet Hospital
- Canowindra Veterinary Clinic
- Cowra Veterinary Clinic
- Wellington Veterinary Hospital
To request a voucher, contact Council’s Environmental Services Department at (02) 6392 3247.
Please note: Vouchers must be used by Tuesday, 30 June 2026.
Registration and Microchipping
Microchipping and registration is a two‑step process that all companion animal owners are required to complete.
Step 1: Microchipping
Animals must be microchipped by the time they are 12 weeks old, or at the point of sale or change of ownership, whichever occurs first. Microchipping provides permanent identification and greatly increases the chance of pets being returned to their owners if lost.
Step 2: Registration
All dogs and cats must be registered with their local NSW council by six months of age.
Early microchipping and registration are strongly encouraged, as many animals under six months of age are regularly lost from their homes.
Before registering your dog or cat, it must be microchipped. This is usually done by a local veterinarian. Registration can then be completed at your local council. When registering your pet, please bring a copy of the microchip registration form with you.
Desexing your pet offers several benefits, including reduced registration fees, lower roaming tendencies, improved behaviour, and a reduced likelihood of involvement in territorial disputes or attacks.
Companion Animals
The
Office of Local Government website offers a convenient, central source of information for pet owners. It allows owners to register their pets online, access up‑to‑date registration fee details, and download useful brochures and forms. Using the site makes it easier to manage pet records, ensure pets are properly registered, and stay informed about responsibilities under the Companion Animals Act, helping owners save time while supporting responsible pet ownership.
Animals to Adopt
Cabonne Council Pound often has animals that are available for adoption. They will be listed here and on our Facebook page when available.