18Registration fees

18 Registration fees

18 Registration fees

(1) The following fees are payable for the registration of a companion animal before the animal reaches the age of 6 months—

(a) a registration fee,

(b) an additional fee of $156, in the case of a dog that has not been desexed before reaching 6 months of age and is not kept by a recognised breeder for breeding purposes,

(c) a late fee of $17 if the registration fee has not been paid 28 days after the date on which the companion animal is required to be registered.

(2) The registration fee is—

(a) in the case of a dog—$66, or

(b) in the case of a cat—$10 less than the registration fee for a dog, or

(c) (Repealed)

(d) in the case of a desexed companion animal owned by an eligible pensioner—$26.

(3) The additional fee is not payable—

(a) if, before the dog reaches 6 months of age, a veterinary practitioner has specified in writing that—

(i) the dog should not be desexed until it reaches the age specified by the veterinary practitioner, or

(ii) desexing the dog at any time of its life would constitute a serious health risk to the dog, or

(b) in the case of a dog that is desexed after reaching 6 months of age and sold to the owner by a rehoming organisation.

(3A) The exemption specified in subclause (3)(a)(i) applies only until the dog reaches the age specified by the veterinary practitioner.

(4) No fee is payable under this clause for the registration of—

(a) any animal that is in the service of a public authority, or

(b) a working dog, or

(c) a companion animal that is desexed and sold to the owner by a rehoming organisation.

(5) The Departmental Chief Executive may require the owner of a companion animal to provide proof, in any manner that the Departmental Chief Executive determines, of any matter relevant to a fee payable under this clause.