Council asked pet owners to register their pets before its first ever animal audit gets under way next week.

Council Regulatory Services manager Andrew Bellingham said the response was pleasing and urged other pet owners to register their animals ahead of the audit.

"We believe there are still several thousand unregistered cats and dogs in the municipality," Mr Bellingham said.

"This is a good opportunity to do the right thing and register pets, particularly as there is an amnesty until the end of October which will allow people to register their animals without fear of receiving

a fine for late registration."

Council has received 1164 registrations for dogs and cats in six working days since advertising last week.

This compares with 172 cats and dogs in the first 14 working days of September.

Mr Bellingham said said having properly registered and audited pets would give council a better chance of providing adequate services for the community.

It is a State Government requirement that pets be registered from three months of age, and discounts are available for animal-loving pensioners.

Owners of desexed or microchipped animals will also receive a discount.

Registration of a desexed or microchipped dog costs $17, or $14 for a cat.

Mr Bellingham said the cost of registering animals was minimal in relation to the benefits for owners.

"In return registration fees allow council to provide a lost and found service, council services to deal with nuisance problems . . .," he said.

"Fees also help cover the costs of providing dispensers and bags to pick up animal faeces and council monitoring of pet shops, boarding kennels and pounds, as well as provision of a seven days per week

after-hours animal emergency service."

Animals can be registered at the Phoenix building in Armstrong St Sth and forms can be downloaded from www.ballarat.vic.gov.au