Pet Registration and Microchipping
Australia has one of the highest rates of pet ownership in the world. For the vast majority of us our dogs and cats are our friends and companions. They are much loved members of our families. However, there are a small number of people who do not care for their animals responsibly. These animals often become a problem for the community.
The new Companion Animals Act, which first came into effect in September 1998, is designed to benefit pets, their owners and the wider community.
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 dogs and cats for the benefit of the wider community.
Narrabri Shire Council collects the registration fees as set out in the Companion Animals Act (1998).
All animal details are registered on a central database for the whole of NSW.
Registration Costs
Registration is for life time in NSW and current fees can be found on the Fees and Charges section of this website.
Owners of dogs are required to identify (microchip) their dogs at 3 months of age or before they are sold or given away. This means that when purchasing or receiving a companion animal (cat or dog) the person selling or giving away that animal is guilty of an offence if the animal has not been permanently identified before the transaction is finalised.
New owners must change the details of the microchipping information. A form can be downloaded from the internet, simply visit www.petregistry.nsw.gov.au and follow the links to “Chip In”. The form which you will be required to fill out is called the Change of Owner Details form which requires a signature from both the new and old owners of the pet. This form can be submitted into Council and Council Officers will change the details on the Pet Registry. This form will change the owner details on the microchipping and the registration.
Registration is required at 6 months of age or if one of the following occurs before 6 months:
1) The dog is impounded;
2) The dog is declared dangerous; or
3) The dog is declared a nuisance.
Further information and regulations can be found by viewing the Companion Animals Act (1998) NSW or contacting Council's Compliance team 02 6799 6866. Pet registration information sheets and a How to Register Your Pet flyer are also available on the OLG website http://www.olg.nsw.gov.au/public/dogs-cats/.
Please remember that if a Companion Animal changes address or dies that it needs to be updated in the Register. If your Companion Animals status changes please contact Council to have the register updated.
Annual Permit Fees
From 1 July 2020, the Office of Local Government implemented the following annual fees for owners of:
• Cats not desexed by four months of age will be required to pay an $80.00 annual permit, in addition to their one-off lifetime pet registration fee, and
• Dogs of a restricted breed or declared to be dangerous will be required to pay a $195.00 annual permit in addition to a one-off lifetime pet registration fee.
For further information on the annual fees, visit the OLG website.
Application for Annual Permit can be download here.
I have moved house and need to change the address on my dog registration?
Contact Council on 02 6799 6866 to obtain a change of address form. Alternatively this form can be obtained by following the Chip In links on the website http://www.petregistry.nsw.gov.au The required form is entitled the Change of Owner Details form.
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 on 02 6799 6866 to let them know. Your details will be changed so they are corrected on the pet registry.
