When purchasing a pet it is important to take into consideration such things as:

1. The room you have available:
   - What size yard do you have?
   - Is the animal going to live indoors or outdoors?
   - Do you live in a house or a flat/unit?
2. How much free time do you have to spend with your pet?
3. Do you want an active or passive animal to suit your lifestyle?

Some sites that provide helpful hints for choosing a pet for you are as follows:

SelectaPet - www.petnet.com.au
Choose the right pet that best suits your lifestyle.
Ph: 1800 331 784

Petalia - www.petalia.com.au

My Pets - www.mypets.net.au

You can also contact councils Animal Management Officers, who are more than happy to provide general advice on the selection of your new companion animal.  

If applicable it is also important to check with your landlord or Body Corporate as to what regulations apply to your residence.

Use eServices to ask us a question, request information or give us feedback online. If you prefer call ASSIST on (03) 9209 6777 or TTy (03) 9209 6713 and ask for Animal Management.

This is the City of Port Phillip's approach to effective animal management. By encouraging responsible pet ownership, neighbourhood amenity is maintained so that residents can enjoy the benefits of pet ownership.

The number of animals that a person can keep in the City of Port Phillip is governed by Local Law No3. The local law has been designed to provide a balance between the desire for people to keep domestic animals and the need to preserve the residential amenity.

You can keep up to two dogs or two cats on any property in Port Phillip except for flats and units, where only one dog or one cat is permitted.

You can have up to four domestic animals on any property, including birds, rabbits, guinea pigs etc. For example, 2 dogs + 1 rabbit + 1 bird. Beyond this you need to obtain a Local Laws permit (Local Law No.3). A Multiple Animal Permit can be obtained free of charge from the City of Port Phillip.

In deciding whether or not to issue a permit to keep domestic animals above the minimum number, the council considers the impact on:

• Effect of noise or smell on the area
• Whether adequate and appropriate housing will be provided for the animals

Poultry

The City of Port Phillip allows its residents to keep poultry.  The rules which apply are outlined below.

• You may keep Hens, but we strongly discourage ownership of Roosters due to the noise nuisance.
• You must apply for a multiple animal permit if the number of poultry increases the overall number of animals at the property to over four as stated above.
• Poultry or animal housing or a similar structure must be located on the property so that the amenity of the area or other premises is not affected by nuisance, noise or odour experienced because of proximity of the poultry or animal housing.
• An owner or occupier must not construct or use any poultry or animal housing on any property unless it has adequate roofing, drainage, is rodent proof and has a floor paved with impervious material.
• All poultry and animal housing must be maintained so that it does not cause a nuisance or offensive conditions or harbour vermin.

For more information see the Animal Registration page.

Use eServices to ask us a question, request information or give us feedback online. If you prefer call ASSIST on (03) 9209 6777 or TTy (03) 9209 6713 and ask for Animal Management.