Pet Essentials

All cats and dogs must be permanently identified with a microchip either by: 

• 12 weeks of age
• Point of sale or change of ownership, which ever occurs first 
• If you are giving away your pet you MUST have it microchipped first.

It is the responsibility of the current owner to transfer the microchip into the new owner’s name. It is important to remember that microchipping does not take the place of registering your pet with NSW Pet Registry. 

If your pet dog or cat has been desexed, your vet or local Council can update the desexed status on the NSW Pet Registry. For us to arrange this, please: 

All owners are encouraged to desex their dogs by 6 months of age and cats by 4 months of age. 

Dogs: An additional fee is applied if your dog is not desexed by 6 months of age

Cats: An annual permit is applied if your cat is not desexed by 4 months of age (unless your cat was born before July 2020)

Whilst it’s not mandatory (unless you have a restricted, declared dangerous or menacing dog), there are many benefits. 

If your vet recommends delaying desexing

A vet must record medical exemption prior to the animal reaching the relevant desexing age. A vet can notify a medical exemption directly on the NSW Pet Registry or provide a pet owner with a dated certificate (must include microchip number, Vet Identifier number and be dated prior to the animal reaching the relevant desexing age) which they can provide to Councils as evidence to update their desexing status. Additional fees will apply if your pet is not desexed by 18 months of age.

Benefits of desexing your pet

• A greatly reduced lifetime-registration fee applies for a cat or dog that has been desexed, by the relevant age

• Your cat or dog is less likely to stray, be aggressive, fight, or spray to mark its territory

• It helps reduce unwanted pets and pet overpopulation.

Note: There is no scientific evidence indicating that it is better to allow an animal to have one litter before being desexed. 

If you cannot afford to have your cat or dog desexed, speak to your vet or an animal welfare organisation as they may be able to help.

More information regarding the benefits of desexing your pet is available on the RSPCA website.
 

Annual permit required for cats not desexed 

From 1 July 2020, owners of cats not desexed by four months of age are required to pay an annual permit in addition to their one-off lifetime registration fee, until their cat has been desexed.

More information on Annual Permits can be found on the Office of Local Government website.

You can register your pet online at the NSW Pet Registry 

Animal Registration Fees  

You will need:

• animal's micochip number
• proof of desexing (if required)
• proof of adoption from a recognised pound or shelter (if required)
• any other documentation for the animal registration (Change of ownership form, Permanent identification form if moving from another state).

If you have trouble registering your pet through NSW Pet Registry, you can easily register your pet online.

You will need:

• pet registration form
• proof of desexing (if required)
• proof of adoption from a recognised pound or shelter (if required)
• any other documentation for the animal registration (Change of ownership form, Permanent identification form if moving from another state).

Register now

We know people are passionate about their dogs, with many people considering dogs to be part of their family or valued companions.

There are six things you can do to be a responsible pet owner:

1. Make sure your dog can be identified with a collar, tag, and microchip
2. Make sure your dog is registered with us so it can be identified if it becomes lost
3. Keep your dog in your yard
4. Consider desexing your pet
5. Always keep your dog on a leash in public unless in an off-leash area
6. Clean up after your pet.

Good to know

Dogs are now allowed in kerbside outdoor dining areas. Your dog can join you if they:

• Are on a lead
• Stay on the ground
• Are not fed
• Have the restaurant owner's permission.

Cats can be wonderful companions, they need their owners to provide proper housing, food and to follow responsible breeding practices.

We recommend keeping your cat indoors at night. Here’s why:

• All cats hunt, regardless of how well fed they are. Cats usually hunt at night
• Most cat fights occur at night
• Most vehicle accidents involving cats occur at night
• Cats can cause considerable damage to the environment if allowed to wander.
• It will prevent around 90% of all cat-related complaints.

Tips on keeping cats indoors:

• Don’t feed your cat until it is time for them to be inside and once you invite them in to be fed, keep them in for the night.
• If your cat is well behaved, you can let them roam freely inside.
• Alternatively put your cat in a room where they have a bed and a litter tray (this could also be a garden shed or garage)

If your cat or dog has sadly passed away, you must notify the relevant authorities within 28 days. To arrange this, either:

• Update your pet's status on the NSW Pet Registry to 'deceased', or
• Complete the following online form so that we can update the register on your behalf: