The Domestic Animal Management Plan 2026 to 2029 (DAMP) will focus on cats and dogs specifically, addressing important issues such as pet registration, nuisance management, dog attack prevention, overpopulation, the regulation of domestic animal businesses, and more. Specific details about designated dog on and off-leash areas will be provided separately in our Strategic Dog Off-Leash Guidelines.

We invite your feedback on the draft DAMP 2026 to 2029 plan to help shape our approach and ensure the safety of our community and pets.

If you would like to receive updates on this project, click the 'follow' button in the top left-hand corner of the page.

Your feedback will shape decisions about:

• How we invest our time and resources.
• All actions are open for reconsideration, unless mandated by legislation.

Parts of the this plan that are not able to be influenced include:

Under the Domestic Animals Act 1994, a DAMP must outline programs, services and strategies to:

• Promote and encourage responsible ownership of dogs and cats.
• Ensure that people comply with the Act, regulations and legislation.
• Minimise risk of attacks by dogs on people and animals.
• Address over-population and high euthanasia rates for dogs and cats.
• Encourage registration and identification of dogs and cats.
• Minimise potential for dogs and cats to create a nuisance.
• Effectively identify all dangerous, menacing and restricted breed dogs and ensure that these dogs are kept in compliance with Act and regulations.
• Provide for review of existing orders and Local Laws made under the Act.
• Provide for review of any other matters related to the management of dogs and cats.
• Timelines. The current DAMP sunsets 4 December 2025. DAMP must be approved by November.

We're eager to hear your feedback and combine this with other considerations such as costing, feasibility, and expert advice to make sure we create the best possible outcome for everyone.

We invite your feedback on the draft plan to help shape our approach and ensure the safety of our community and pets. If you have any difficulty with the survey, please contact us to request a paper version or complete the survey over the phone.