Annual Permits

What are the new annual permits about?

From 1 July 2020 owners of cats not desexed by four months of age will be required to pay an $80 annual permit in addition to their one-off lifetime pet registration fee.

Owners of dogs of a restricted breed or declared to be dangerous will also be required to pay a $195 annual permit in addition to their one-off lifetime pet registration fee.

Why are annual permits being introduced?

Annual permits for non-desexed cats:

  • create a stronger incentive to desex cats and improve their health and wellbeing
  • lower demand on pounds and shelters
  • reduce euthanasia rates
  • help address concerns about feral, stray and roaming cats
  • help protect our wildlife

The Government has also made a one-off $10 reduction to the lifetime cat registration fee to encourage higher registration rates and adoption of cats from pounds and shelters.

Annual permits for dangerous and restricted dogs will:

  • reduce ownership of high-risk dogs
  • encourage owners to better manage the behaviour of their animal
  • improve community safety
  • reduce dog attacks

How can I avoid the annual permit?

  • desex your cat by four months of age, or request an exemption from your vet*
  • register your cat before 1 July 2020
  • don’t own a restricted dog
  • manage your dog’s behaviour to ensure that it’s not declared dangerous
  • if you are a cat breeder, join a recognised cat breeding body

* Cats that cannot be desexed, either temporarily or permanently, are exempt from paying an annual permit. A certificate from your vet is required to qualify for this exemption. 

What dog breeds are restricted?

Restricted dog breeds are the pit bull terrier, American pit bull terrier, Japanese tosa, Argentinian fighting dog, Brazilian fighting dog, and canary mastiff. A dog can also be declared to be one of, or a cross-breed of, one of these restricted breeds.

What is a dangerous dog?

Dogs of any breed can be formally declared dangerous by a council or court if the dog, without provocation, has attacked or killed a person or animal, repeatedly threatened to attack or repeatedly chased a person or animal, or is kept or used for hunting.

How will pet owners pay for the annual permits?

From 1 July 2020, pet owners will be able to pay for annual permits using the NSW Pet Registry website, or through their local council. Anyone registering a cat on the NSW Pet Registry will be informed that they must pay for an $80 annual permit if their animal is not desexed by four months of age.

Where will the revenue raised from the annual permits go?

Pet registration fees and annual permit fees go directly back to the local community through local councils to fund:

  • animal pounds/shelters
  • ranger services
  • dog recreation areas
  • education and awareness programs

They also fund operation of the Government’s NSW Pet Registry and the Responsible Pet Ownership Education Program which teaches dog safety tips to children in our pre-schools and primary schools across the State.

What is the penalty if pet owners don’t have an annual permit and get caught?

Pet owners who fail to obtain an annual permit risk an on-the-spot fine of $700 for restricted or dangerous dogs and $400 for non-desexed cats.

If taken to court, maximum penalties of $6,600 for restricted or dangerous dogs and $5,500 for non-desexed cats may apply.

Where can I get further information?

Visit the Office of Local Government website at olg.nsw.gov.au