Pet Ownership
Owning a pet is a big responsibility. To help keep pets safe and ensure they can be reunited with their owners if lost, all cat and dog owners in NSW must follow a two-step registration process under the NSW Companion Animals Act 1998.
Step 1 – Microchip Your Pet
All cats and dogs must be microchipped by the time they are 12 weeks old or before being sold or given away—whichever comes first.
It is the responsibility of the person selling or giving away the animal to ensure it is microchipped. A microchip contains a unique 15-digit number that helps identify your pet if it is lost or stolen.
Microchipping must be done by a vet or authorised implanter. They will also upload your pet’s details to the NSW Pet Registry.
Please note: Pets must be microchipped before they can be registered.
Step 2 – Complete Lifetime Registration
Once microchipped, your pet must be registered on the NSW Pet Registry either:
-
by the time they are 12 weeks old, or
-
as soon as ownership is transferred to you,
whichever occurs first.
Registration is only complete once the fee is paid. Late payment may incur additional charges, so we recommend registering promptly to avoid penalties.
When a pet’s profile is transferred to your name on the NSW Pet Registry, you become its legal owner. Registration is a once-only payment that lasts for the animal’s lifetime and is valid across all council areas in NSW.
You can check if an animal is already registered by searching the NSW Pet Registry.
Breeders: If you still have puppies or kittens in your care after 12 weeks, you must register and pay for them as the owner.
Fees and Desexing
Registration fees vary. Discounts apply for desexed animals. If your dog is not desexed by six months of age, or your cat is not desexed by four months of age (unless born before 22 July 2020), you may be required to pay an additional annual permit fee.
For current fees and more information, visit the Office of Local Government – Pet Registration Fees
2024/2025 Fees and Charges
| Registration type |
Description |
Fee |
| Dog– Standard lifetime registration
|
Basic lifetime registration fee for a dog
Note: An additional payment applies if a dog is not desexed by 6 months of age. If a vet decides that a dog should not be desexed before 6 months of age or ever in its life, a temporary or permanent exemption from the additional fee may be granted.
|
$78.00 |
| Dog - Standard lifetime registration - Eligible Pensioner |
Basic lifetime registration fee for a dog owned by an eligible pensioner |
$34.00 |
| Cat– Standard lifetime registration |
Basic lifetime registration fee for a cat
Note: An annual permit fee applies if a cat is not desexed by 4 months of age. If a vet determines that a cat should not be desexed before 4 months of age or ever in its life, a temporary or permanent exemption from the annual permit fee may be granted.
|
$68.00 |
| Cat– Standard lifetime registration – eligible pensioner |
Basic lifetime registration fee for a cat owned by an eligible pensioner |
$34.00 |
| Dog - Recognised breeding dog |
Dog not desexed by 6 months of age and kept by a recognised breeder for breeding purposes |
$78.00 |
| Cat - Recognised breeding cat |
Cat not desexed by 4 months of age and kept by a recognised breeder for breeding purposes |
$68.00 |
| Additional fee payable for non-desexed dog |
Owner must pay an additional fee for a non-desexed dog over 6 months of age |
$184.00 |
| Annual Permit for Cat |
Owner must pay an annual permit for a non-desexed cat over 4 months of age |
$96.00
|