The NSW Companion Animals Act 1998 requires all dogs and cats which are born, or who change owners after 1 July 1999 to be microchipped and registered.
The NSW Companion Animals Act 1998 requires all dogs and cats which are born, or who change owners after 1 July 1999 to be microchipped and registered.
In NSW, all cats and dogs, other than exempt cats and dogs, must be microchipped by 12 weeks of age or before being sold or given away, whichever happens first.
A companion animal must not be sold or given away unless it is identified/microchipped as required by the regulations (even if it is less than 12 weeks old when it is sold or given away).
Modern microchips are about the size of a grain of rice and are implanted beneath the animal's skin between the shoulders. No personal information is stored on the microchip, only the unique identification number.
If you fail to have your cat or dog microchipped when required to do so, you may be issued with a fixed penalty notice.
All cats and dogs, other than exempt cats and dogs, must be registered by six months of age. The registration fee is a once-only payment, which covers the cat or dog for its lifetime in NSW, regardless of any changes in ownership.
Discounted registration fees apply to desexed cats or dogs. Having your cat or dog desexed prior to registration helps to reduce straying, fighting and aggression and antisocial behaviour, such as spraying to mark territory. It also helps to reduce the number of unwanted pets born each year.
Lifetime Registration takes place after your pet is microchipped and can be completed online or at Council office.
Lifetime Registration fees are available for:
Non-desexed dog or cat
Desexed dog or cat (proof required)
Desexed dog or cat owned by a pensioner (proof required)
Dog or cat owned by a registered breeder (proof required)
Changing the ownership of pets can be done online or at Council office.
To ensure the comfort, safety and health of the whole community the Companion Animals Act places certain responsibilities on all pet owners.
Responsible pet owners microchip and register their dog or cat and ensure that their contact details are up to date. You can now update your contact details on the new NSW Pet Registry. If your dog or cat is lost, up to date contact details are the best way to bring your pet home.
Please ensure that your cat or dog is, at all times, wearing a collar and tag with your contact details on it. When away from home, it is important that your dog is controlled by a leash that it held by a person who can control the dog if necessary. Cats should be leashed or contained. This will help ensure that your dog or cat does not threaten or harm a person or animal and that your dog or cat does not cause a nuisance.