Registration

The NSW Companion Animals Act was introduced in 1999 to protect pets, their owners and the broader community.

The new Act introduced measures such as microchipping and lifetime registration of all new kittens, puppies, cats and dogs sold or given away after 1st July 1999.

By September 2002 all dogs must be chipped and lifetime registered.

Cats born before 1st July 1999 do not have to be registered unless they are sold or transfer ownership.  All cats born, sold or given away after 1st July 1999 must be microchipped and lifetime registered.

What is microchipping?

Microchipping is a way to permanently identify your pet.  Microchips are about the size of a grain of rice and are inserted in the back of your pet's neck.  This is done by your vet and is much the same as an immunisation injection and is very safe.  The chip contains a series of numbers and no two chips have the same number.  The numbers are read by scanners and the unique number will identify your pet through the Companion Animals Register.

How do I register my pet?

Firstly you must microchip your pet - an animal can not be registered without a microchip.  You can then register your pet at any local council or registered agent.  Simply bring your copy of the NSW Companion Animal Register Registration form, proof of microchipping - a registration form with the chip number on it; a Microchipping certification or a verification from your vet - plus if your pet has been desexed the sterilisation certificate or verification from the vet and finally you'll need the relevant application fee.

How much does it cost?

  • There is a one-off fee that must be paid to register your cat or dog.
  • Desexed cat or dog - $40
  • Desexed cat or dog owned by pensioner - $15
  • Entire (undesexed) cat or dog - $150
  • Entire cat or dog owned by registered breeder - $40
  • Trained seeing eye or hearing dogs - Free

Trained dogs such as seeing eye or hearing dogs must be microchipped and registered, although there is no fee.  Farm working dogs are exempt and greyhounds registered with the Greyhound Control Board are covered by a separate registration.    

Download Council's New Cat and Dog Registration and Information Fact Sheet from Forms and Fact Sheets web page (Animals).