If you are buying a companion animal, please note that it is against the law to sell or give away a cat or dog that has not been microchipped (even if it is less than 12 weeks of age).
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 greatly assists authorities in returning lost and injured animals to their owners.
If you are buying a companion animal, please note that it is against the law to sell or give away a cat or dog that has not been microchipped (even if it is less than 12 weeks of age).
The Office of Local Government issue fines on the spot and court imposed penalties for not registering your cat or dog by the age of 6 months. The fines and penalties are significantly increased for failing to register a dangerous, menacing or restricted breed of dog.
Step 1: microchip your animal
In NSW cats and dogs must be identifiable 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 Pet Registry. 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 Council's Animal Holding Facility
Step 2: register your animal
Once you have microchipped your animal, you then need to lifetime register it by 6 months of age. This can be done online via a self-service system on the NSW Pet Registry website. Infringements may be issued to owners of animals whose animal is older than 6 months of age and is not registered.
The microchip paperwork will be entered into the NSW Pet Registry and you will be sent a certificate of identification in the mail. You must then log in to the NSW Pet Registry website, make a profile and claim your pet by searching for the microchip number. Please check all details are correct as this is the only link back to you should your pet ever go missing.
If you change phone numbers or address, or if the pet dies or goes missing please update your pet’s microchip details via the NSW Pet Registry.
NOTE: In NSW it is a requirement under the Companion Animals Act 1998 to register your cat or dog by 6 months of age. Registration fee’s help finance support services for pet owners, such as Council animal services, including dog parks and amenities, ranger services, free events, research and education programs.
This is a once only payment and covers the life of your animal.
- Dog registration fee (by 12 weeks or when sold if sold earlier) $78.00
- Dog non desexed additional fee (not desexed by 6 months) $184.00
- Dog - registration combined fees (not desexed by 6 months) $262.00
- Cat registration fee (by 12 weeks or when sold if earlier) $68.00
- Non-desexed cat: $68.00 (Plus annual permit for non-desexed cat $96.00)
- Dog Breeder concession: $78.00
- Cat Breeder concession: $68.00
- Pensioner concession desexed animal: $34.00
- Assistance Animal: $0.00
- Working Dog: $0.00
- Registration late fee: $22.00
- The Companion Animals Regulation sets registration fees. We can not alter these.
When you register your animal, you will need to provide your animals identification papers. You will 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.
Payment options:
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Pay in person at any Council in NSW, the RSPCA or Blacktown Animal Rehoming Centre at 20 Owen Street Glendenning NSW
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Pay by money order or cheque through the mail to any Council in NSW.
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Pay over the phone using credit card payments for lifetime registration on
02 5300 6000
The only allowable registration exemptions are provided for in Section 17 of the Companion Animals Regulation:
- 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
- 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
- An animal kept at a pet shop for the purposes of sale
- 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
- A greyhound registered under the Greyhound Racing Authority Act 1985
- A dog that is ordinarily used by a police officer on official duty
- 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
- 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.
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 any information on your animal’s microchip by logging onto the NSW Pet Registry website, claiming your pet’s microchip and amending the details. You can also submit a transfer of ownership notice, deceased or missing animal notice online via the registry. Alternatively you can contact any local Council. You may need to provide your request in writing before Council can amend the animals record.
The owner of an identified companion animal (whether or not it is registered) must notify the Register when any of the following events occur. Failure to notify the Register may result in a penalty. 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.
Local Council's may not charge a fee for changing information on the NSW Pet Registry. Council will provide the owner of the animal a new Certificate once the changes have been processed.
Below are the forms used for submitting microchip information changes to Council. We encourage dog and cat owners to use the online platform to make these changes online.