Draft Domestic Animal Management Plan 2025

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Consultation has concluded. East Gippsland Shire Council has adopted its Domestic Animal Management Plan (DAMP) 2026–2029, reinforcing its commitment to keeping pets healthy and happy while ensuring parks, streets, and public spaces are safe and enjoyable for everyone. 

MEDIA RELEASE

Council adopts new Domestic Animal Management Plan 
Date of Issue: March 23, 2026

East Gippsland Shire Council has adopted its Domestic Animal Management Plan (DAMP) 2026–2029, reinforcing its commitment to keeping pets healthy and happy while ensuring parks, streets, and public spaces are safe and enjoyable for everyone. 

Developed in line with the Domestic Animals Act 1994, the plan sets out a clear roadmap for managing dogs and cats across the Shire over the next four years, balancing animal welfare, responsible pet ownership, and the needs of the wider community. 

East Gippsland Shire Mayor Cr Jodie Ashworth said the plan was shaped by extensive community consultation, with 78 responses received online and in person. 

“Community feedback highlighted the importance of responsible pet ownership, stronger enforcement around picking up after pets, and a reasonable registration fee structure for pet owners,” Cr Ashworth said. 

In response to community feedback, the updated DAMP includes actions to be taken across the life of the plan, such as increasing education around responsible pet ownership, reviewing the registration fee structure to make it more affordable to first register puppies and kittens before they are desexed, maintaining safe and well-managed areas for dogs and cats, and proactive enforcement to ensure compliance with local laws. 

“The new plan reflects Council’s commitment to animals and the communities they live in,” Cr Ashworth said. 

“Pets bring joy to many households, and we want to make sure they are healthy, safe, and well cared for. At the same time, it’s important everyone can feel safe and comfortable in our public spaces.”  

The DAMP also addresses a range of priorities, including Authorised Officer training, managing over-population and euthanasia rates, supporting registration and identification, addressing nuisance animals, preventing and responding to dog attacks, managing dangerous, menacing, and restricted dogs, providing pound services, regulating domestic animal businesses, and ensuring the welfare of animals during emergencies. 

  Click here to read the plan: Domestic Animal Management Plan 2026-29



Every Council needs to update their Domestic Animal Management Plan (DAMP) in 2025.

From 11 April to 9 May 2025, we asked for your feedback on dogs and cats, which are the animals covered in the DAMP.

Consultation and community engagement

Community members, domestic animal businesses, community groups, industry stakeholders and partners were invited to provide feedback from 11 April to 9 May 2025. All feedback will be considered as a part of this process.

How you got involved:

What can be included in a DAMP?

  • How we manage domestic animal control (dogs and cats only, not livestock or wildlife)
  • Responsible pet ownership
  • Strategies to mitigate dog attacks
  • Educational and enforcement campaigns

Funding

This initiative is funded by East Gippsland Shire Council.

We welcome your continued interest in this initiative. Updates will be provided on Your Say. Please click 'Subscribe' at the top of the page to follow this project and receive important information directly to your inbox. If you want to search for other projects near you, simply type the town name in the search bar.

Privacy and Data Collection Notice

East Gippsland Shire Council asks for details about you. The information you give to us on this form is used only for the reasons set out in the form and is not given to anybody else. Sometimes we may supply details about you to someone else, but only if we are allowed by law, or to protect someone or property. When information is given out, Council will always try to make sure your privacy is protected in line with the Privacy and Data Protection Act 2014. You may ask for more information about Council’s Privacy Policy by contacting our Freedom of Information and Privacy Officer on 03 5153 9500 or e-mail feedback@egipps.vic.gov.au.

MEDIA RELEASE

Council adopts new Domestic Animal Management Plan 
Date of Issue: March 23, 2026

East Gippsland Shire Council has adopted its Domestic Animal Management Plan (DAMP) 2026–2029, reinforcing its commitment to keeping pets healthy and happy while ensuring parks, streets, and public spaces are safe and enjoyable for everyone. 

Developed in line with the Domestic Animals Act 1994, the plan sets out a clear roadmap for managing dogs and cats across the Shire over the next four years, balancing animal welfare, responsible pet ownership, and the needs of the wider community. 

East Gippsland Shire Mayor Cr Jodie Ashworth said the plan was shaped by extensive community consultation, with 78 responses received online and in person. 

“Community feedback highlighted the importance of responsible pet ownership, stronger enforcement around picking up after pets, and a reasonable registration fee structure for pet owners,” Cr Ashworth said. 

In response to community feedback, the updated DAMP includes actions to be taken across the life of the plan, such as increasing education around responsible pet ownership, reviewing the registration fee structure to make it more affordable to first register puppies and kittens before they are desexed, maintaining safe and well-managed areas for dogs and cats, and proactive enforcement to ensure compliance with local laws. 

“The new plan reflects Council’s commitment to animals and the communities they live in,” Cr Ashworth said. 

“Pets bring joy to many households, and we want to make sure they are healthy, safe, and well cared for. At the same time, it’s important everyone can feel safe and comfortable in our public spaces.”  

The DAMP also addresses a range of priorities, including Authorised Officer training, managing over-population and euthanasia rates, supporting registration and identification, addressing nuisance animals, preventing and responding to dog attacks, managing dangerous, menacing, and restricted dogs, providing pound services, regulating domestic animal businesses, and ensuring the welfare of animals during emergencies. 

  Click here to read the plan: Domestic Animal Management Plan 2026-29



Every Council needs to update their Domestic Animal Management Plan (DAMP) in 2025.

From 11 April to 9 May 2025, we asked for your feedback on dogs and cats, which are the animals covered in the DAMP.

Consultation and community engagement

Community members, domestic animal businesses, community groups, industry stakeholders and partners were invited to provide feedback from 11 April to 9 May 2025. All feedback will be considered as a part of this process.

How you got involved:

What can be included in a DAMP?

  • How we manage domestic animal control (dogs and cats only, not livestock or wildlife)
  • Responsible pet ownership
  • Strategies to mitigate dog attacks
  • Educational and enforcement campaigns

Funding

This initiative is funded by East Gippsland Shire Council.

We welcome your continued interest in this initiative. Updates will be provided on Your Say. Please click 'Subscribe' at the top of the page to follow this project and receive important information directly to your inbox. If you want to search for other projects near you, simply type the town name in the search bar.

Privacy and Data Collection Notice

East Gippsland Shire Council asks for details about you. The information you give to us on this form is used only for the reasons set out in the form and is not given to anybody else. Sometimes we may supply details about you to someone else, but only if we are allowed by law, or to protect someone or property. When information is given out, Council will always try to make sure your privacy is protected in line with the Privacy and Data Protection Act 2014. You may ask for more information about Council’s Privacy Policy by contacting our Freedom of Information and Privacy Officer on 03 5153 9500 or e-mail feedback@egipps.vic.gov.au.