Fees were due by April 10 and must be paid by the end of the month to avoid a higher bill and a $289 fine.

Last year Warrnambool City Council had 5042 registered dogs and 1988 cats on its books while Glenelg Shire had 1700 pet owners.

 All dogs and cats over the age of three months must be registered with a local council each year  and owners registering their pets  for the first time must have their animal micro-chipped before applying. 

Reduced fees for micro-chipped pets no longer apply, but there are lower fees for desexed animals, those older than 10, dogs that have  approved obedience training and for owners who are pensioners.

Warrnambool City Council said registration was a significant benefit when pets went missing.

 The full fee for an unsterilised dog is $135 while for desexed and over 10 year-old canines it is $45 while for pensioners it is half price.

For unsterilised cats registration costs $102 while for desexed felines it is $34. Again pensioners are half price.