The Companion Animals Act 1998 was introduced to protect pets, their owners and the community. Under the Act, all pet owners must provide lifetime protection by microchipping and registering their pet.
How do I register my companion animal
There are two steps to registering your pet, identification and registration.
- Identification
In NSW all dogs (including pups) and cats (including kittens), must be identified by permanent microchip by the age of twelve (12) weeks or at point of sale (this also includes giving them away). The cost of microchip implanting is not regulated and you should shop around for the best price. All vets in NSW are authorised to implant microchips.
- Registration
All dogs and cats must be lifetime registered by six (6) months of age. The registration is a once only payment made at the Council offices and covers the life of the animal, when residing in NSW.
What are the charges for lifetime registration
The companion animal registration fees are defined by the Companion Animals Regulations 2008. The registration charges vary and are as follows:
- for a desexed animal (except an animal owned by an eligible pensioner) -$40
- for a desexed animal owned by an eligible pensioner - $15
- for an animal that is not desexed (except an animal kept by a recognised breeder for breeding purposes) - $150
- for an animal that is not desexed and that is kept by a recognised breeder for breeding purposes - $40
Are there any exemptions from the lifetime registration requirement
There are two exemptions from the payment of companion animal registration fees. These are for:
- any animal the Director General is satisfied is in the service of a public authority
- a working dog
What is a working dog under the Companion Animal Act 1998
A working dog is defined as an animal that:
- is used primarily for the purpose of droving, tending, working or protecting stock
- resides on land defined and rated as farmland under the Local Government Act 1993
- a hunting dog is not defined as a working dog under this legislation
How do I get more information about microchipping and registration
- please call the Council Rangers on (02) 6767 5555
- talk to your local Vet