A NSW Government website

Microchipping and registration

Breeder microchipping responsibilities

In NSW, all cats and dogs are required to be identified with a microchip number before they are sold or given away, and before they are 12 weeks of age. 

Using the NSW Digital Pet Registry to pre-enter a litter makes microchipping appointments more efficient and cuts paperwork out of the equation. 

Pet Registration in NSW

Payment of the standard registration fee is required from the time an animal is 12 weeks old, or the date on which ownership of an animal is transferred to a new owner, whichever happens first. 

Breeders must pay the registration fee for any pets still in their name from 12 weeks of age.

1. Before you book your microchipping appointment

After you have created your litter and confirmed all pet details are correct, contact your vet or authorised identifier to make an appointment. Make sure to tell them you have pre-entered the litter in the new NSW Digital Pet Registry, this information will help your vet or AI at the appointment. 

2. Send litter details

Confirm you have entered the correct email address for your vet/AI, then simply click “send for microchipping”. The email contains your breeder identification number (BIN), the litter mother’s microchip number and the litter’s date of birth.

After you send the litter for microchipping, you will not be able to update any of the litter pet’s details.

3. At the appointment

Your vet/AI can access all pet details before and during the microchipping appointment. If they haven’t received your email, they can search for the litter in the NSW Pet Registry using the litter mother’s microchip number.

Once each pet has been microchipped (identified) you will receive a confirmation email or text. 

4. After the microchipping appointment

If you notice any errors with incorrect animal details or with a microchip number, please contact us.

Handy tips for breeders

Your part is now done. You can help your Vet by: 

  • Checking they’ve received your litter details email. 
  • Knowing you can resend the litter details email from your NSW Pet Registry account. 
  • Understanding that the most important information is the Litter’s Mother’s Microchip Number. It’s the key to your litter. 
  • Pre-filling your litter information correctly and sending for digital microchipping gives you instant confirmation. This means you’re ready to find forever homes for your pets, straight away. 

Need assistance? 

If you have made a mistake, or need assistance, you can refer to the FAQs or contact the Pet Registry helpline team from right within the portal.  

Using paper forms

Your vet or authorised identifier will need to fill out the Permanent Identification P1A form for each litter animal and submit them to council for final processing.  

To make the paper process more efficient, make sure you can provide the vet/AI:

  • the litter mother’s microchip number  
  • litter DOB  
  • your breeder identification number