Animal Registration
The Companion Animals Act
The Companion Animals Act 1998, which came into effect in September 1998, replacing the Dog Act 1966, is designed to benefit pets, their owners and the wider community.
Amongst other things, the Companion Animals Act requires cats and dogs to be identified by microchip by the age of 12 weeks and lifetime registered by the age of 6 months. The permanent identification and lifetime registration system, which came into effect on 1 July 1999, greatly assists authorities in returning lost and injured animals to their owners. It provides NSW Councils with a more effective means of keeping track of cats and dogs for the benefit of the wider community.
Registering your Companion Animal - a 2 step process
Step 1 - Microchipping your animal
Under the Companion Animals Act, cats and dogs, which reside in NSW, must be identified by microchip by 12 weeks of age. Microchipping your animal is the first step in the registration process.
When an animal is microchipped its identification details are entered onto the NSW Companion Animals Register. A certificate is issued to the owner receipting the entry of their animal's details.
Microchips are about the same size as a large grain of rice. They are very safe. Your pet will feel little pain as the chip is inserted quickly and safely under the skin between the shoulders.
When the chip is scanned, a number displayed on the scanner will be used to identify your cat or dog.
Microchipping can be arranged through your local vet, animal welfare organisation or at Councils Animal Holding Facility.
Step 2 - Registering your animal
Once you have microchipped your animal, you then need to lifetime register it by 6 months of age. Infringements may be issued to owners of animals whose animal is older than 6 months of age and is not registered.
Lifetime registrations can be made at any Council, the RSPCA or the Animal Welfare League.
Cost to Register your cat or dog
(This is a once only payment and covers the life of your animal)
- Desexed cat or dog $40
- Desexed cat or dog owned by a pensioner $15
- Entire (not desexed) cat or dog $150
- Entire cat or dog owned by recognised breeder* $40
- Assistance dogs Free
The Companion Animals Regulation sets registration fees. Council cannot alter these.
* A recognised breeder is a person who is a member of one of the following breed organisations:
- Royal NSW Canine Council
- NSW Cat Fanciers Association
- Waratah State Cat Alliance
Before granting a discount for a registered breeder, council's must sight a current membership card and a statement by the owner that the animal is to be kept for breeding purposes.
When you register your animal, you will need to provide your animals identification papers. You may also need to provide:
- Proof to show that your animal is desexed or permanently incapable of reproduction.
- Any documents which entitle you to a discount eg. Pensioners card, breeders card.
Note for Cat Owners
- If your cat was born, sold or given away after July 1999, it must be microchipped and lifetime registered through a local Council.
- If you owned your cat before July 1999, you must identify your cat with a collar and tag or microchip. You do not have to register the cat.
Registration Exemptions
The only allowable registration exemptions are provided for in Section 17 of the Companion Animals Regulation:
a) A cat born before 1 July 1999, other than a cat whose ownership changes after that date,
b) An animal that is ordinarily kept outside New South Wales, but not when the animal has been in New South Wales for a continuous period of at least 3 months.
c) An animal in the custody of a Council pound, the Animal Welfare League, Cat Protection Society, RSPCA or any other organisation approved by the Director General by order published in the Gazette,
d) An animal kept at a pet shop for the purposes of sale,
e) An animal kept for the purposes of sale in the course of a business conducted at a booth or stall in a market or at affair,
f) A greyhound registered under the Greyhound Racing Authority Act 1985,
g) A dog that is ordinarily used by a police officer on official duty,
h) An animal in the custody of an accredited research establishment within the meaning of the Animal Research Act 1985, or the holder of an animal research authority or an animal supplier's licence within the meaning of that Act,
i) An animal kept at a licensed animal display establishment within the meaning of the Exhibited Animals Protection Act 1986 and lawfully exhibited in accordance with that Act.
Animals covered under these exemptions are not required to be identified or registered.
Any animal which is seized and taken into the custody of a Council pound or animal shelter must be microchipped and lifetime registered before being returned to its original owner. This requirement overrides any exemptions.
Change of Animal Details
As a Companion Animal owner, you have a responsibility to ensure that the information on the NSW Companion Animals Register is up to date and correct.
You can correct or update the information on your animals Certificate by contacting any local Council. You may need to provide your request in writing before Council can amend your record.
The owner of an identified companion animal (whether or not it is registered) must notify the Register when any of the following happens:
(a) Any change occurs in the animal details, eg. if you change your address, change your contact details, sell or give the animal away (written notification must be given within 14 days after the change occurs),
(b) The making or revocation of a declaration by a court that a dog is dangerous (written notification must be given within 7 days after the declaration is made or revoked),
(c) The animal dies (written notification must be given within 28 days after the animal dies),
(d) The animal has been missing for more than 72 hours,
There is no charge for the changing of owner details on the Register. Council will provide you with a new Certificate once the changes have been processed.
If you are looking to sell or give away your animal, you should obtain a copy of a 'Change of Owner / Details' form from any local Council. This form is also available of the Department of Local Government website www.dlg.nsw.gov.au. Both you and the new owner will have to complete and sign this form. As the 'old' owner you have the responsibility of sending the completed form to any local Council within 14 days of selling or giving the animal away.
Click here to download a copy of a "Change of Owner / Details Form"
Click here to download a "Change of Address Form"
Failure to notify the Register may result in a penalty of up to $880 or $16,500 for dangerous or restricted dogs. In addition, as long as you are the recorded owner of the animal, you may be liable for any penalties or expenses incurred if the animal attacks someone or damages somebody else's property.
If you would like find out more about frequently asked questions on the Companion Animals Act, click here.
Click the link below for an information sheet on Microchipping and Registration of Dogs and Cats
Microchipping and Registration of Dogs and Cats