Weather and seasons in Melbourne
Melbourne is known for "four seasons in one day": hot northerly days in summer that can pass 40°C, cool changes, and chilly, damp winters. Spring brings grass seeds and pollen.
Planning around the seasons
On hot northerly days, walk early, avoid hot footpaths and keep dogs indoors in the afternoon heat.
In spring and early summer, check paws, ears and coats for grass seeds after walks.
Homes, buildings and access
Apartment buildings have owners’ corporation rules that may cover pets; rentals in Victoria generally need the landlord’s consent for pets. Tell your provider about access, lifts and gates.
Local rules worth knowing
In Victoria dogs and cats must be microchipped and registered with the local council. Councils set where dogs must be on a lead and where they can be off-leash, and many beaches have seasonal dog rules.
Getting around Melbourne with a pet
Rules for dogs on Melbourne’s trains, trams and buses are restrictive — check the current Public Transport Victoria rules before you travel. A pet taxi is simplest for the vet, the groomer or the airport.
Pet care in Melbourne — FAQ
Does OnlyPaw work in Melbourne?
Yes. OnlyPaw is available worldwide, including Melbourne. Because it's a marketplace, the providers you can book depend on who has been approved near your address — the app shows who's available before you pay.
How much does pet care cost in Melbourne?
Providers in Melbourne set their own prices, so you see each provider's rate in the app before you book. At checkout OnlyPaw adds a service fee of 10% of the service price, with a minimum of USD 2 and a maximum of USD 20 (or the equivalent in your local currency), shown before you pay. Your payment is held and only released to the provider after the service is completed.
Where can dogs run off-leash in Melbourne?
In council-designated off-leash areas, such as parts of Royal Park, and on designated dog beaches like Brighton Dog Beach. Rules differ by council and season, so check signs.
Does my pet need to be registered in Melbourne?
Yes. In Victoria dogs and cats must be microchipped and registered with your local council.
How are providers vetted?
Every provider submits a government ID and a selfie, passes a knowledge test with a 70% pass mark and uploads service-specific documents — home photos for sitting and boarding, driving licence and vehicle registration for pet taxi, certificates for grooming and training — before the OnlyPaw team approves them.
What happens in an emergency?
Every active booking has an SOS button in the app. It alerts the other party and the OnlyPaw team straight away. If your pet needs urgent medical care, contact a vet or emergency clinic first.
