Have your say on the draft Domestic Animal Management Plan

We’re preparing a new Domestic Animal Management Plan (2026–2029) to guide how dogs, cats and people share our city over the next four years.

Last year, you shared how much pets mean to you, and the issues you’d like addressed. We’ve used that feedback to develop the draft Domestic Animal Management Plan 2026–2029, which is now on public exhibition. The draft Plan outlines Council’s approach to responsible pet ownership, animal welfare and managing shared public spaces.

Read the draft Plan, then complete the survey below. Have your say on whether the draft Plan:

  • reflects your priorities
  • outlines the right actions to support responsible pet ownership, animal welfare, and shared public spaces.

How your feedback will be used

Your feedback will help refine the proposed actions before the Plan is presented to Council.

What can't be changed

Our statutory obligations under the Domestic Animals Act 1994 and any compliance or enforcement issues arising from those obligations.

The Plan sets the framework for Council’s animal management services. It outlines how Council will manage dogs and cats in the municipality over a four-year period.

The Plan aims to:

  • encourage responsible pet ownership
  • ensure compliance with animal-related laws and regulations
  • reduce the risk of dog attacks on people and animals
  • address over-population and reduce euthanasia rates
  • minimise nuisances like barking dogs and roaming cats
  • effectively manage dangerous, menacing and restricted breed dogs
  • support pet registration and identification

Draft Plan Focus Areas

The draft Plan is structured around seven focus areas shaped by community feedback and best-practice approaches.

Click on each focus area below to learn more about each area.

What we heard from you

In August 2025, more than 260 residents and community members helped shape the draft plan through a survey and pop-ups around the municipality. Participants included people of all ages, including pet owners and non-pet owners.

The survey revealed the most common concerns:

Survey respondents wanted to see:

Do you have a pet that should be registered? Find out more. open in new window

Privacy Statement

The personal information requested on this form is being collected by Council for the purpose of facilitating the community engagement process. The personal information will be used by Council for that primary purpose or directly related purposes.

The demographic information collected will only be reported at the aggregate level. Personal information (if collected) will not otherwise be disclosed unless required by law. Requests for access to and/or amendment of personal information should be made to Council's Privacy Officer by telephoning 03 8290 1333 or emailing council@stonnington.vic.gov.au.

For more information about how Council handles personal information, please refer to our Privacy Policy.

What do you want to provide feedback on next?