Pet Registration & Microchipping

animal-rego.jpg

The Companion Animals Act 1998 was introduced to support responsible pet ownership and ensure the safety and well-being of both animals and the wider community. Under this legislation, all dogs and cats in NSW must be microchipped by 12 weeks of age and registered for life. These measures help reunite lost pets with their owners and assist councils in managing companion animals effectively.

Narrabri Shire Council collects registration fees in accordance with the Act, and all registered animal details are recorded in a central NSW database.

 

NSW Pet Registry 

Microchipping Your Pet

Microchipping is a safe and permanent way to identify your pet, helping to reunite lost animals with their owners. A tiny microchip, implanted just under the skin, contains a unique number linked to the NSW Pet Registry, where the owner’s contact details are recorded. If your pet ever goes missing, this information allows vets, councils and shelters to quickly identify and return them home.

 

Who is responsible for microchipping?

In NSW, the person selling or rehoming a pet is legally required to ensure it is microchipped. This includes:

✔️ Registered breeders

✔️ Animal rescue or rehoming organisations

✔️ Individuals giving away pets, including accidental litters

Before purchasing or adopting a pet, you should be provided with its microchip number, which you can verify using the NSW Pet Registry buyer’s search.

If you take ownership of a pet that hasn’t been microchipped, your local vet can assist with the procedure.

 

When should a pet be microchipped?

By law, all dogs and cats must be microchipped before being sold or rehomed, or by 12 weeks of age—whichever comes first. The details provided at the time of microchipping must be recorded by a vet or authorised identifier. These details can only be updated through a formal transfer of ownership, which is the responsibility of the breeder or previous owner.

 

Pet Registration and Fees

All dogs and cats in NSW must be registered on the NSW Pet Registry. Pet owners are required to register their animal by 12 weeks of age or immediately upon transfer, whichever occurs first.

Pet registration is a one-time fee that covers your pet for its lifetime in NSW, even if ownership changes. However, some owners are also required to pay an annual permit fee for:

  • Non-desexed cats over four months of age
  • Restricted dog breeds
  • Dogs declared dangerous
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
     
     
     
     
     

I have moved house and need to change the address on my dog registration?

A Change of ownership form can be obtained on the NSW Pet Registry website. 

The form needs to be completed and if the new address is still in NSW, sent back to Council or submitted in person.  Council will then amend your details so they are correct and you will be forwarded a new certificate of registration.

For interstate addresses, the completed form must be sent to:

NSW Companion Animals Register
Locked Bag 3030
Nowra NSW 2541

What do I need to do if my registered dog has died?

Contact Council to let them know. Your details will be changed so they are corrected on the pet registry.

 

 

Back to top