Domestic Animal Management Plan Review

Have your Say on the Draft Domestic Animal Management Plan!

Wellington Shire Council is reviewing its Domestic Animal Management Plan (DAM plan). To have your say you can complete an online submission form.

Australia has one of the highest rates of pet ownership in the world. Approximately 48% of households own one or more dogs and 33% one or more cats.

Responsible pet ownership contributes positively towards our community’s wellbeing and adds to social connectivity. Pets offer opportunities for active pursuits, provide companionship to those who may feel lonely or isolated and supports independence for individuals living with a disability or illness.

What is a DAM Plan?

The Domestic Animal Management Plan (DAM Plan) applies to all domestic pets, and it is a requirement for all Councils in Victoria to have a DAM Plan. The drafted plan has been developed to address needs relating to pets, their owners and the community.

View the Draft plan here

When drafting the DAM Plan for 2026 - 2029, key considerations were given by Council including:

• Maintaining qualified and experienced staff;
• Encouraging responsible pet ownership and compliance with legislation
• Reducing the feral cat population and euthanasia rates of unwanted pets;
• Encouraging increased pet registration compliance, with an emphasis on cats;
• Responding to and investigating animal nuisance complaints in a timely and effective manner
• Reducing the number of dog attack incidents by encouraging responsible pet ownership, increasing safety awareness around dogs and enforcing legislation;
• Maintaining continued compliance relating to the keeping of declared menacing, dangerous and restricted breed dogs;
• Ensuring Domestic Animal Businesses are identified and regulated; and
• Responding to any emergency involving people and their pets.

A copy of the draft Domestic Animal Management Plan 2026 - 2029 can be viewed here in the Project Documents Section on this page, or hard copies are available to view at Council Customer Service Centres in Sale and Yarram.

Public submissions will open Thursday 28th August 2025 and close on Wednesday 24th September 2025.

What happens next?

Once you have provided your feedback using the tools provided, we will collate, review and analyse the responses. Feedback will be considered and used to determine whether further changes are needed to the draft Domestic Animal Management Plan 2026 – 2029.