Domestic Animal Management Plan (DAMP) 2026-2029

Council endorsed the Domestic Animal Management Plan 2026–2029 at its December meeting, setting the direction for how we manage dogs and cats in our community over the next 4 years.

This plan focuses on pet safety, responsible ownership and community wellbeing.

Thank you to everyone who shared feedback and contributed to the community consultation – your input helped shape this important plan.

View the Domestic Animal Management Plan 2026-2029.

Thanks to everyone who shared their thoughts on animal management in Manningham during our June consultation.

Feedback highlighted several key themes, including more education, stronger enforcement, improved amenities and concerns around nuisance behaviour and roaming pets.

The draft plan has been updated to reflect what you told us. It outlines a range of actions that will be delivered over the next 4 years, such as:

• expanding awareness and education on responsible pet ownership
• supporting an improved compliance process and enforcement
• enhancing infrastructure such as bins, taps and fencing in public spaces.

View the draft Domestic Animal Management Plan 2026-2029 and share your feedback by 5:00pm, Thursday 16 October.

Take the survey

Need information in a different way?

To speak to someone, or complete the survey in your preferred language, please call 9840 9355.

If you would like this information in a different format, please contact manningham@manningham.vic.gov.au or call 9840 9333.

Thank you to everyone who their shared feedback on animal management in Manningham.

Your input is helping shape our next Domestic Animal Management Plan 2026-29 which will be available for review later this month.

You can find a snapshot of results from our recent consultation below.

Who we heard from

We received over 1,800 responses to our community survey from various community groups, residents, and organisations involved in the animal management. We heard from people of diverse ages groups, backgrounds and genders, which is a great reflection of our local community.

When it came to pet ownership, here’s who responded:

• 62% dog owners
• 18% cat owners
• 15% owned both cats and dogs
• 5% did not own a pet.

We also heard from:

• Community organisations
• Domestic animal businesses
• Animal welfare and rescue groups
• Animal shelters and veterinarians
• FOMDAC
• Animal training clubs
• Dogs Victoria
• Sporting clubs.

What you told us

Your feedback showed strong support for:

• Responsible pet ownership
• Safer, more inclusive public spaces
• Balancing community needs with animal welfare.

Key findings:

• 96% of respondents knew pets should be microchipped and registered by 3 months of age
• Many supported simpler, more flexible registration options
• 50% experienced cat nuisance in the past year
• 72% were aware of the 2024 cat confinement order
• Main dog-related concerns: dog poo, off-lead dogs, barking
• Support for cat desexing.

Community suggestions:

• More education and engagement
• Stronger enforcement and presence
• Better access to dog training
• Infrastructure improvements (fencing, bins, taps).

Community concerns:

• Dogs off-lead and not under control
• Barking and waste
• Wandering cats and confinement
• Registration costs
• Perceived lack of enforcement.

Thank you for your feedback.

Our officers will available local parks and reserves to answer your questions and hear your feedback on animal management.

Each session is 30 minutes. See times and locations below:

We encourage you to come along and have a chat.