Compulsory desexing of pet dogs and cats is being considered in South Australia, with public input guiding planned changes.

An overhaul of the Cat and Dog Management Act will take into account the views of a citizens' jury of 35 randomly selected members of the public.

It will consider the problem and report back to the State Government in about two months.

The Dog and Cat Management Board said compulsory desexing would help to reduce the number of unwanted animals, but said any change would require a commonsense approach.

"We don't want to make this something where we have no pets for people," board chair Felicity-Ann Lewis said.

"We certainly don't want to see the end of the moggie."

It is estimated more than 10,000 unwanted dogs and cats are put down annually in South Australia.

Hefty rise in fines questioned

Changes to the animal management act might also see a trebling of fines for animal-related offences, a move that Opposition environment spokeswoman Michelle Lensink disagrees with.

"To put a $315 fine on every family who's got an overly friendly dog I think is really unfair," she said of the proposed higher fine on dogs found wandering.

RSPCA chief executive Tim Vasudeva agreed.

"We'd be concerned as to whether that might have the effect that people can't afford to reclaim their dogs or are going to take longer to reclaim them because they need to get the money together," he said.

In response, the Government pointed out it was two decades since the fines last increased.

Environment Minister Ian Hunter said pet owners might think higher fines are unfair but some other people considered public safety the priority.

"If you're a pedestrian or out in the street or have got a young toddler with you and you're attacked by a dog, you might think $315 is way too low," he said.

The Dog and Cat Management Board indicated there was room for a softening of some of the planned changes.

"It's a bit of a blunt instrument to say someone who didn't submit paperwork is going to get a $315 fine and someone whose dog attacks someone gets a $315 fine," Ms Lewis said of the offences that the fine might encompass.