To find out more about cat registration, responsible pet ownership and details of council-run subsidised desexing and microchipping days visit council’s website at www.moretonbay.qld.gov.au

More than 700 cats a week are joining the ranks of “legal” pets in Moreton Bay region since compulsory registration began last month.
Mayor Allan Sutherland said thousands of responsible pet owners and Moreton Bay Regional Council’s fee free registration amnesty had meant more than 3,500 cats had been registered since the state government’s laws came into effect on July 1.
“We hope thousands more will be signed up soon. There’s no excuse for not jumping on-board, particularly when cats can be registered for free while our amnesty is in place.
“Council officers are working hard to keep up with demand and cat owners should expect it to take a few weeks to receive confirmation papers and registration tags in the post.
“The bonus of registration is it gives lost pets an extra chance of being reunited with owners, because registered pets and their owners can be identified through our records.”
Under the new state legislation, all cats over 12 weeks need to be registered.
Microchipping is compulsory for cats that change owners and for kittens which were younger than 12 weeks from July 1, 2009.  Owners are encouraged to microchip their cats regardless of age, for easy identification.
In Moreton Bay Region, cat owners must keep their animals confined to their property at all times and up to two cats can be kept per household. Households with more must have council permits for the additional cats.