FAQs

The suburbs with the highest number of registered dogs are:

• Aldgate (729)
• Bridgewater (681)
• Stirling (567)

The Dog and Cat Management Board oversees the administration and enforcement of the Dog and Cat Management Act 1995. However, each Council is responsible for administering and enforcing the provisions of the Act to dogs and cats within its boundaries.

We are required to develop and maintain a management plan relating to dogs and cats pursuant with section 26A of the Dog and Cat Management Act 1995. These plans are referred to as Animal Management Plans and are reviewed every five years. 

PROVIDE YOUR FEEDBACK

1. Preferably using any or all of the online tools on this engagement page
2. Sending an email to engage@ahc.sa.gov.au
3. Writing a letter to Community Engagement Coordinator, Adelaide Hills Council, 63 Mount Barker Road, Stirling SA 5152
4. Phoning 8408 0400
5. Collecting a hardcopy information sheet and feedback form from any Council Service Centre or Library at Stirling, Gumeracha or Woodside

All feedback provided at each phase of this project will be considered and will help build the draft Animal Management Plan for presentation to Council.

Consultation closes 4pm Monday 26 February 2024.

There are 8,677 dogs registered with 57% of households having at least one registered dog.

The most popular dog breeds in the region are:

• The “Oodle”. These made up 10% of all dogs registered. The most popular being a Cavoodle (287) and Labradoodle (185).
• Border Collies (652 registered)
• Labrador Retriever (520 registered)
• Kelpie (464 registered) and Kelpie Cross (454 registered)
• Golden Retriever (305 registered)

The primary objectives of the Dog and Cat Management Act 1995 are

• to encourage responsible dog and cat ownership;

• to reduce public and environmental nuisance caused by dogs and cats; and

• to promote the effective management of dogs and cats (including through encouragement of the desexing of dogs and cats).

Click here to download a copy of the Dog and Cat Management Act 1995. 

The suburbs with the highest percentage of households with registered dogs are:

• Verdun – 66% 
• Bradbury – 33% 
• Kenton Valley – 32% 

Over the last 5 years there have been:

• 132 dog attacks (on humans and other animals)
• 41 Dog off leash offenses
• 495 wandering at large offences

There are 1,376 cats registered in the Council area and 9% of households have at least one registered cat.

The most popular cat breed in the region is the Domestic breed. These cats made up almost 75% of all registered cats. 

• Domestic short hair (718 registered) 
• Domestic medium hair (181).
• The Ragdoll (87 registered)
• The Burmese (60 registered)

The 3 suburbs with the highest number of cats registered are:

• Bridgewater (137)
• Aldgate – (125)
• Stirling – (113)

The 3 suburbs with the highest percentage of households with registered cats are:

• Marble Hill – 7%
• Castambul– 6%
• Chain of Ponds – 5% 

The Dog and Cat Management Act 1995 includes reference to compulsory micro-chipping of both dogs and cats since July 2018. Further information is available from the Dog and Cat Management Board.

The Dog and Cat Management Act 1995 references compulsory desexing of both dogs and cats since July 2018. Further information is available from the Dog and Cat Management Board.

Responsible pet ownership begins with choosing the right pet for your situation. Owning a pet dog or cat is a big responsibility. before deciding on a pet you should consider the following questions.
Can I afford the registration costs?
Can I afford the veterinary costs?
Is my property suitable for keeping a pet?
The Dog and Cat Management Board website has plenty of information about responsible pet ownership.