The Victorian government is set to double the pet registration fees it collects, a move that could impact over a million households. This change comes as new legislation is introduced, mandating Victorian councils to pay nearly twice the current rate per registered cat and dog to the Allan Government starting next year.

Many local councils are anticipated to transfer this increased cost onto residents, which means 1.4 million households with pets across the state might feel the financial impact. The government insists that the additional revenue will support animal welfare programs, including those run by the RSPCA.

However, critics argue that this fee increase is merely another attempt to generate funds to counteract the state’s escalating debt. Recently released financial data revealed that the state’s net debt has surged by more than $2 million every hour over the last financial year.

The state government claimed the revenue will go towards animal welfare initiatives like the RSPCA. 

Critics, however, have slammed the increased fees as yet another ‘tax grab’ to offset the state’s soaring debt. 

Just a few weeks ago financial results showed the state’s net debt increased by more than $2million each hour over the past financial year.

The changes, which cleared parliament as part of a larger tax reform bill last week, will increase the annual registration fees paid by councils to the government from $4.51 to $9 for both cats and dogs. 

Greyhound registration fees will also double from $3.50 to $7, with the changes to take effect from July next year. 

The Allan government has been accused of a ‘tax grab’ for doubling registration fees for pets which councils need to pay the state government. It will likely be passed onto taxpayers 

Registration fees for dogs and cats will increase to $9 per pet and the change is set to affect more than a million taxpayers

Victorian Opposition Leader Brad Battin slammed the increase as a ‘petty cash grab’, and said it would unfairly punish pet owners.

‘Jacinta Allan will tax anything that moves – even if it barks or purrs,’ he wrote on social media on Saturday. 

‘Her new Pet Tax is a way to squeeze more money out of Victorians.

‘Tell her enough is enough. It’s time for a fresh start.’  

Shadow Treasurer Jess Wilson said the move was designed to patch over years of fiscal mismanagement by the Labor government.

‘This is a petty cash grab on the family dog and the household cat – pure and simple,’ Ms Wilson said.

‘Victorians are already struggling with the highest taxes in the nation – and now Labor wants to tax the family pet.

‘After years of waste and mismanagement, Labor’s run out of money and ideas. So instead of fixing the budget, they’re taxing cats and dogs.

‘First it was new taxes on GP visits, school fees and rents, then a tax on every household through the Emergency Services Tax. Now, it’s a Pet Tax. What’s next?

‘The Allan Labor Government should be focused on easing cost-of-living pressures, not making it more expensive to own a pet.’

There were about 2.2million cats and dogs across 1.4million Victorian homes in 2023, according to the Victorian Pet Census. 

A state government spokesperson said the fee increase would go towards funding RSPCA Victoria’s activities.

‘This will fund the RSPCA, responsible pet ownership programs, animal welfare initiatives, research into domestic animal management, and the administration of the laws that protect our pets,’ the spokesperson said.

‘Critically, these fees also fund RSPCA Victoria Inspectors who are on the frontline protecting animals, relieving suffering and ending cruelty across the state.’