If you are breeding dogs or cats in the City of Whittlesea, Victoria, local council regulations and steep intact registration fees can make breeding an expensive and administratively heavy process.
Depending on how your breeding activity is classified, you could be required to comply with commercial registration requirements and fees. But being an RPBA member lets you access the recreational breeder framework under Victorian legislation, keep your animals intact legally, and keep your overhead low.
The City of Whittlesea requires all dogs and cats over 3 months old to be registered. Additionally, the council mandates that cats must be desexed prior to registration.
Your costs and requirements depend on your size, but without an Applicable Organisation membership, the hurdles are steep:
Responsible Pet Breeders Australia (RPBA) is proud to be one of the few government-approved Applicable Organisations in Victoria.
When you join RPBA, you unlock exclusive exemptions under the Domestic Animal Act 1994 (DA Act) that immediately lower your costs and simplify your compliance.
By dropping your Whittlesea council dog registration from $176.60 down to $57.00, you save $119.60 per dog, per year, easily covering the cost of your RPBA membership and putting money directly back into your breeding program.
You will need to obtain an additional animal permit under the Local Law to own more than 2 dogs. Additional animal permits are subject to inspection and approval by the local council.
| Breeding Dogs | Non-Member Cost (Unsterilised Rate) | RPBA Member Cost | Annual Savings |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 dog | $176.60 | $57.00 | $119.60 |
| 2 dogs | $353.20 | $114.00 | $239.20 |
| 3 dogs | $529.80 | $171.00 | $358.80 |
| 5 dogs | $883.00 | $285.00 | $598.00 |
| 10 dogs | $1,766.00 | $570.00 | $1,196.00 |
Disclaimer: Registration fees and information on this page are based on the City of Whittlesea fee schedule and applicable Victorian legislation current as of July 2026. Council fees, charges, local laws and legislative requirements may change over time. Please verify the current fees, eligibility requirements and applicable exemptions directly with the City of Whittlesea and the relevant Victorian legislation before relying on this information.
Join a supportive community that advocates for ethical breeding, protects your bottom line and gives buyers confidence that they are working with a verified, government-recognised breeder.
Your puppy needs support to build confidence and physical resilience. RPBA provides its members with easy to follow responsible breeding templates and checklists to assist breeders throughout every life stage:
“I felt reassured I could verify them and have the confidence to know they are coming from a loving, good home and a responsible breeder.”
– Brenda, RPBA Buyer
