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Pets and wildlife

For information on domestic animals including cats and dogs visit the City Services website.

For information on wildlife, livestock, biosecurity and licensing of plants and animals visit the Environment, Planning and Sustainable Development Directorate website.

Domestic animals

The ACT is a pet friendly place. To make sure your pets, wildlife and the community are kept safe:

  • all cats and dogs must be microchipped and registered with their details renewed annually
  • all cats born from 1 July 2022 must be contained
  • in certain suburbs, all cats regardless of age must be contained
  • dogs must be kept on leash unless in a designated off leash area where they must be under effective control at all times.

Cats

Visit the City Services website to find out the requirements of owning a cat. This includes having them microchipped, desexed, registered and following the appropriate containment requirements. Owners must apply for approval to have four or more cats, and to keep their cat sexually entire.

If you have lost or found a cat please contact the RSPCA on 6287 8100.

Dogs

Visit the City Services website to find out the requirements of owning a dog which include having them microchipped, desexed and registered. The website also has information on:

Roosters

Visit the City Services website to find out the requirements for keeping roosters.

Stock

If you see stock (such as cows, sheep or horses) on roads or private property it’s likely they’ve escaped from an enclosure.
Report straying stock to Access Canberra on 13 22 81.

Egg labelling requirements

The Commonwealth Government Information Standard under the Australian Consumer Law (ACL) sets out the obligations for all egg producers when promoting or selling free range eggs.

The Information Standard permits free-range eggs to be produced by hens in stocking densities of up to 10,000 birds per hectare. The ACT Government supports a free-range standard that limits stocking densities to 1,500 birds per hectare or less, and recommends consumers purchase free range eggs produced at this stocking density or less.

The Information Standard also informs consumers and the public more generally about free-range egg claims which enables the public to have confidence and make informed choices when buying free range eggs.

The ACL places an obligation on traders not to mislead consumers in promoting their goods and services. Any claims that eggs are “free range” mean they must come from hens that a reasonable consumer would consider are produced in a free-range environment.

Egg retailers are required by ACT law to show a prominent sign near the display which informs the consumer whether the eggs are cage eggs, barn eggs or free-range eggs. These signs empower consumers to have confidence and make informed choices when comparing different types of eggs.

Access Canberra is responsible for compliance with egg labelling requirements in the ACT under the Eggs (Labelling and Sale) Act 2001.

To find out more or make a report or enquiry contact Access Canberra.

Wildlife

Canberra is often called the ‘bush capital’. Living in the ACT means living alongside many of Australia’s native animals and insects.

Under the Nature Conservation Act 2014, you must have a licence to conduct certain activities in relation to plants, animals and nature reserves. This may be for scientific or commercial purposes.

Visit Environment.act.gov.au for information about licences.

Injured wildlife in the ACT

If you hit a native animal with your car or come across an injured native animal, you can call any of the following:

  • Access Canberra on 13 22 81
  • the RSPCA on 02 6287 8100
  • ACT Wildlife on 0432 300 033.

You should report all motor vehicle accidents to police.

Magpies

Magpies swoop from July through to December. Swooping is a natural instinct to protect their territory and their young.

Call Access Canberra on 13 22 81 to report a swooping magpie.

Visit Environment.act.gov.au for information about magpies.

Bats and flying foxes

Do not attempt to rescue or handle bats or flying foxes.

The Australian Bat Lyssavirus (ABLV) can be transmitted by a bite or scratch from an infected animal.

Instead, call any of the following numbers for assistance:

  • Access Canberra on 13 22 81
  • the RSPCA on 02 6287 8100
  • ACT Wildlife on 0432 300 033.

Quolls (cat-sized marsupial with spots)

Quolls were reintroduced to the Mulligans Flat Sanctuary in 2016.

If you see a quoll outside the sanctuary, contact the Mulligans Flat Sanctuary.

If a quoll is on or near someone’s property, call Access Canberra on 13 22 81.

Bees

Visit the City Services website for information about bees.

Bee swarms on public land

Call Access Canberra on 13 22 81 for swarms on public land and nature strips.

Access Canberra will only respond to swarms if they are low to the ground and posing a threat.

Swarms high up in trees don’t pose a threat.

If you have a swarm or a hive on private land, reach out to a bee swarm collector on the ACT Beekeepers Association's website.

Beehives

You must register as a beekeeper if you have beehives in the ACT.

European wasps

The ACT Government treats European wasp nests on government land. If a wasp nest is on your property, it is your responsibility to have it removed by a qualified pest control operator. People should not attempt to treat the nest themselves as they risk being stung.

For enquiries about European wasps on government land, go to City Services website for more information.

Termites

Nests on public land may be considered as a possible source of termite attack if:

  • they are located within 60 metres of structures under attack
  • the termites in the nest are the same species as in the structure.

Visit the City Services website for information about termites.
You can request inspection of a tree on public land by calling Access Canberra on 13 22 81.

Meat ants

If you believe there is a meat ant infestation in a playground, barbecue or high pedestrian area on ACT Government land, you can report the nest using the European Wasp, Ants or Bees Report form

Infestations of other species of ants on your own land or private land is the responsibility of the lease holder.

Visit the City Services website for information about ants.