Foster care

Foster Carer Registration

What is foster care?

Under Section 3 of the Domestic Animals Act 1994, foster care is the care of a stray, abandoned or unwanted dog or cat (whether or not as part of a community foster care network) that is temporary or for the purpose of finding a new home for the dog or cat and that takes place on premises on which the care is being provided to no more than:

-five dogs or animal adult equivalent dogs: or

-five cats or animal adult equivalent cats; or

-a combination of five dogs and cats or animal adult equivalent dogs and cats.

Voluntary Foster Carer Registration

Individual foster carers may apply to their local council to be a registered foster carer as part of a voluntary scheme, with registration valid for one year. In accordance with section 68H of the Domestic Animals Act 1994, Council may charge a fee to register foster carers in the scheme. Voluntarily registered foster carers will receive:

-a reduced registration rate of no more than $8 for each dog they foster during the first 12 months the dog is in their care;

-a reduced registration rate of no more than $8 for each cat they foster during the first 12 months the cat is in their care; and

-the ability to supply dogs six months of age or older, and cats eight weeks of age or older to pet shops to enhance foster animal exposure and sale opportunities.

Apply to be a foster carer

Foster carer application form

To apply for the voluntary foster care scheme please complete the foster carer application form(PDF, 533KB) and submit it to Council. If approval is granted to join the scheme, council will issue you with a certificate that you will need to show pet shops to demonstrate that you are an approved source and are eligible to supply cats and dogs.

Online form for Foster carer Application/Renewal for a Permit

Applicant’s Details:

Name: * (required)

Address: * (required)

Phone/Mobile Number: * (required)

Email: * (required)

Pension Number (Health Care Card excluded):

I wish to apply for a permit to be a foster carer in accordance with Section 68H of the Domestic Animals Act 1994.

Animals kept at property (excluding fostered animals):

Number of Dogs

Animals kept at property (excluding fostered animals):

Number of Cats

Animals kept at property (excluding fostered animals):

Other(Type)

Total numbers: * (required)

Are all owned dogs/cats currently registered? * (required)

Yes

Are all owned animals de-sexed? * (required)

Yes

How will the animals be housed?

Are you the owner of the property? * (required)

Yes

If No - list owner's details below

Name:

Address:

Phone/Mobile Number:

Email:

Do you foster dogs and/or cats over three months of age? * (required)

Yes

Are you aware of your local council’s limits on the number of dogs and cats you are permitted to house at any one time? * (required)

Please enquire with your local council if you are uncertain about the number of animals you can house.

Yes

Do you hold an excess animal permit (if required)? * (required)

Please enquire with your local council if you are unfamiliar with this requirement.

Yes

Do you understand that, if approved as a registered foster carer, you cannot house more than five foster animals at any given time (even if your local council permits you to house more)? * (required)

Yes

Please note: This requirement also applies to foster carers that are not registered in the foster carer scheme. If you have more than five foster animals, you are required to register as an animal shelter.

Have you been found guilty of:

An offence against the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act 1986 or regulations made under that Act? * (required)

Yes

Yes. If yes, offence:

Offence Date:Offence Date:

Open the calendar popup.

An offence against the Domestic Animals Act 1994 or the Domestic Animals Regulations 2015? * (required)

Yes

Yes. If yes, offence:

Offence Date:Offence Date:

Open the calendar popup.

An offence against a law of another State or a Territory of the Commonwealth that corresponds with a law referred to in any legislation mentioned above? * (required)

Yes

Yes. If yes, offence:

Offence Date:Offence Date:

Open the calendar popup.

Is the premises where you house your foster animals registered as a domestic animal business? * (required)

Yes

No (skip next question)

What type of domestic animal business is the premises registered as? * (required)

Are you the proprietor of a domestic animal business at a location other than the premises where you house your foster animals? * (required)

Please note: If you answered yes to any of the above questions you may be ineligible to register as a foster carer.

Yes

Are you affiliated with a shelter or pound? * (required)

Yes

If yes, please complete the following information about the shelter or pound

Name:

Email:

Phone number:

Address:

Do you have a Section 84Y agreement with any Victorian council to rehouse cats and dogs? * (required)

Yes

No (skip next question)

Which council/s do you have a Section 84Y agreement with?

Please note: Under the Domestic Animals Act 1994, Section 84Y enables council to enter into written agreements with individuals or bodies to sell or dispose of dogs and cats seized or surrendered to council. Enquire with your local council if you wish to learn more about this agreement.

Are you affiliated with a Community Foster Care Network (CFCN)? * (required)

Yes

If yes, please complete the following information about the shelter or pound.

Name:

Email:

Phone number:

Address:

Number of animals that you intend to foster care (maximum of 5 animals): * (required)

Dogs:

Number of animals that you intend to foster care (maximum of 5 animals): * (required)

Cats:

List your Pet Exchange source number

Council has the right to refuse foster carer applications.

Council has the right to suspend, cancel or not renew a foster carer registration.

I understand that all foster care animals over the age of three months must be registered with Council.

An Authorised Officer will arrange a time to inspect your property for suitability.

Please attach the following: * (required)

Written consent must be obtained from all adjoining neighbours. A consent form for your neighbour’s to sign is provided with this application form.

If you are not the registered owner of the property, then written consent must be provided by the current registered owner and submitted with this application.

Add the attachment's

* (required)

I declere that the information above is true and correct.

Applicant full name: * (required)

Date of application: * (required)Date of application: * (required)

Open the calendar popup.

Please review the pdf attachement above, Foster carer application form: A copy of the relevant section from the Moira Shire Council’s Community Amenity Local Law 2023, Part 6 is enclosed. Please read it thoroughly and ensure you comply with all requirements.

ADJOINING NEIGHBOUR CONSENT FORM:

I/We (neighbour’s name):

Of (neighbour’s address):

Have no objection to (applicant’s name):

Permanently housing: Total Number of Dogs:

Permanently housing: Total Number of Cats:

Other Animal & number of animals:

At their property at:

I declere that the information above is true and correct.

Date:Date:

Open the calendar popup.

Collection Statement: Moira Shire Council is collecting information on this form for municipal purposes as specified in various acts, regulations and local laws that council has a responsibility to administer. The Personal Information will be used solely by Council for these purposes and or directly related purposes. Council may disclose this information to other organisations if required by legislation. If you do not provide the information required, we will not be able to process your application. You can find out more about how we use and protect your information by viewing our Privacy Policy on our website www.moira.vic.gov.au

Council is also looking for foster carers for pound animals that require foster care for juvenile, veterinary or behavioural rehabilitation reasons or for short term relief. These animals are returned to the pound after the fostering period to be prepared for re-homing.

Please contact us if you are interested.

Keeping of animal’s permit

Council sets limitations on the number of animals that you can house at your premises. A Keeping of Animal permit is required if you keep more than two dogs and/or two cats. In addition, if you have more than five foster animals you will need to apply to be an animal shelter, regardless of how many animal’s council permits.

For further information, please see the State Government’s Information for Victorian dog and cat community foster care networks and rescue groups or visit https://agriculture.vic.gov.au/livestock-and-animals/animal-welfare-victoria/domestic-animals-act/puppy-farm-legislation

for fact sheets about the voluntary scheme.

Disclaimer

The information contained on this page is correct to the best of our knowledge with the information available at the time and should only be used as a guide. Owners of lost or impounded animals are advised to contact us directly for assistance.

Christmas Closure

Foster care

Foster carer application form