About foster care
Foster Care is the temporary care of a stray, abandoned or unwanted dog or cat.
The focus of fostering is to find a new home for the pet.
Under Victorian law foster carers:
- must comply with the requirements of the Domestic Animals Act 1994. Foster carers must make sure all dogs and cats (over three months of age) kept on their property are registered with Council. This includes if the animal is only with them temporarily.
- may receive reduced registration fees if they are registered with Council as a foster carer.
- must have a Local Laws excess animal permit if required.
- must not care for more than 5 adult foster animals (dogs and cats) at any given time. If a foster carer wants to care for more than 5 animals on a property, they are classed as a shelter and must register with Council as a Domestic Animal Business.
Foster Carers Registration Scheme
The Foster Carers Registration Scheme (FCRS) allows an individual to apply to Council to be a registered foster carer. The FCRS is voluntary.
Carers who choose to participate in the scheme receive:
- a reduced registration rate of $8.50 for each dog they foster during the first 12 months the dog is in their care
- a reduced registration rate of $8.50 for each cat they foster during the first 12 months the cat is in their care
- the ability to use pet shops as a means of providing additional community exposure to dogs six months of age or older, and cats eight weeks of age or older.
Foster carers not registered in the Scheme will need to register any dogs or cats over the age of three months of age at the applicable registration rate.
Apply for the Foster Carers Registration Scheme
Please call 9298 8000 should you wish to discuss an application or speak to a member of the Community Laws Team.
Local Laws Permits
Foster carers need an excess animal permit to keep more than two cats or more than two dogs on any property 4000 square meters or less in size.
It does not matter if you are part of the Foster Carers Registration Scheme or not. A permit is necessary even if the cat or dog is staying at the property for a short amount of time.
Find out more about keeping extra animals.
Need help?
Contact us and we will get back to you.
Or call our Community Laws department on 9298 8000.
