About Good Dog SA.
Good Dog SA helps South Australians become responsible, confident dog owners. Good Dog SA is backed by the Dog and Cat Management Board and local councils right across the state.
We understand… good owners lead to good dogs.
What is Good Dog SA?
Good Dog SA is a public information initiative established by the Dog and Cat Management Board and local councils across South Australia. Good Dog SA provides South Australians with clear, practical guidance on every aspect of responsible dog ownership.
Good Dog SA covers dog registration, microchipping, desexing, training, dog laws, and keeping children safe around pets. Every resource Good Dog SA publishes is designed to help owners meet their legal obligations and build a genuinely happy life with their dog.
Good Dog SA believes that informed owners raise better dogs, and that better dogs make South Australian communities safer and more welcoming for everyone.
The Dog and Cat Management Board.
Good Dog SA is an initiative of the Dog and Cat Management Board, the statutory authority that oversees dog and cat management across South Australia.
Statutory Authority
The Dog and Cat Management Board operates under the Dog and Cat Management Act 1995. Good Dog SA draws on the Board's expertise to produce guidance that is accurate, current, and legally sound.
Local Council Partners
Good Dog SA works in partnership with local councils across South Australia. Councils enforce the Dog and Cat Management Act in their areas and are the first point of contact for registration, barking complaints, and lost dogs.
Community Education
Good Dog SA delivers free resources, fact sheets, and practical guidance to South Australian households. The goal is an informed community where every dog owner understands their responsibilities and their dog's needs.
Guidance for every stage of dog ownership.
Good Dog SA supports South Australians from the moment they consider getting a dog through every year of ownership.
Selecting a Dog
Good Dog SA helps prospective owners choose the right breed and temperament for their household, lifestyle, and experience level. The right match prevents problems before they start.
Registration
Good Dog SA explains South Australian registration requirements clearly. All dogs over three months of age must be registered with their local council and registration must be renewed annually.
Microchipping
Good Dog SA reminds owners that microchipping is compulsory for all dogs in South Australia. Good Dog SA explains how the SA register works and why keeping contact details current is essential.
Desexing
Good Dog SA outlines the health, behavioural, and financial benefits of desexing. Local councils across South Australia offer reduced registration fees for desexed dogs.
Training
Good Dog SA advocates positive, reward-based training. Good Dog SA connects South Australian owners with training resources and local obedience clubs to build well-mannered, sociable dogs.
Dog Laws in SA
Good Dog SA summarises the Dog and Cat Management Act 1995 in plain language, covering leash laws, nuisance provisions, dangerous dog declarations, and the penalties that apply.
Barking Dogs
Good Dog SA helps owners understand why dogs bark excessively and what to do about it. Good Dog SA also explains the council complaints process so owners can act before formal enforcement begins.
Children and Dogs
Good Dog SA provides families with straightforward rules for supervising children around dogs. Most dog bites involving children are preventable with simple, consistent boundaries at home.
Better owners build better communities.
Good Dog SA exists because responsible dog ownership has real consequences for South Australian neighbourhoods. A well-managed dog is safer around children, quieter for neighbours, and far less likely to become the subject of a council complaint or enforcement action.
Good Dog SA provides the information owners need to meet their obligations under the Dog and Cat Management Act 1995, and to enjoy a genuinely rewarding relationship with their dog. The two go hand in hand: informed owners are confident owners, and confident owners raise good dogs.
Get in touchGet in touch with Good Dog SA.
Good Dog SA is an initiative of the Dog and Cat Management Board. For enquiries about dog registration, barking complaints, or dog laws in South Australia, contact Good Dog SA directly or reach out to your local council.