Caring for a surprise litter of puppies or kittens and finding them loving homes takes a considerable amount of time, research and money. Desexing is an effective way to prevent accidental litters. There are also many health and behavioural benefits for desexed cats and dogs.
If you choose to not desex your pet, and they will not become a breeding animal, you must complete a Non-desexed cat and dog fees (PDF, 143 KB) form and submit to council with the relevant fee.
Owners of non-desexed cats over 4 months of age must pay an annual permit. Owners of non-desexed dogs over 6 months of age must pay a once-only additional fee.
You should always speak to your vet for specific advice on desexing.
Are you thinking about using your non-desexed cat or dog for breeding in NSW? Check our dedicated resources for breeders to learn more about caring for your pets and their litters, as well as legal requirements for NSW breeders.
The benefits of desexing cats and dogs
- Desexed animals are less likely to get diseases, and certain illnesses such as mammary cancer and uterine infections in females, and prostate problems in males.
- Desexing commonly reduces behavioural problems such as roaming, aggression and urine-marking in males.
- Reducing the desire to roam lowers the risk of your pet escaping and getting into accidents or becoming lost.
- In females, desexing also prevents mating behaviour and false pregnancy.
When to have your pet desexed
In NSW, dog owners must pay an additional fee if they don’t desex their dog by 6 months of age. Cat owners must pay an annual permit if they don’t desex cats by 4 months of age.
New owners of non-desexed cats that need an annual permit have a 2-month grace period to pay the permit. This window starts from when ownership was transferred to you on the NSW Pet Registry.
Once your pet is desexed, your vet can update the desexing status on the NSW Pet Registry. Cat owners are no longer required to pay an annual permit fee once they have their cats desexed.
If vets recommend you delay desexing for medical reasons, or avoid it entirely, they can also record this on the NSW Pet Registry. They may, alternatively, give you a certificate declaring a temporary or permanent desexing exemption. They must do this prior to your pet reaching the recommended desexing age (6 months for dogs, 4 months for cats).
Take this to your local council for processing. This allows you to delay or avoid extra fees or annual permits for non-desexed pets. . If your vet has provided you with a temporary exemption, you must have your pet desexed by the date stated by the vet to avoid additional fees or annual permits.
If you are submitting a temporary or permanent desexing exemption at your local council, make sure the vet has supplied the following information on the certificate:
- the vet clinic letterhead with name and contact details
- the treating vet’s name and V-number (their registration number to practice as a vet)
- the date the desexing consultation took place
- your pet’s microchip number
- your name and address
- the medical reason for the exemption
- for temporary exemptions, the pet’s date of birth and the age recommended for desexing.
Who can update pet desexing statuses?
Vets and local councils are responsible for updating the desexing status of cats and dogs in NSW. If your vet does not update this online via the NSW Pet Registry, you must take documentation to your council to update this status. This can include any of the following:
- a desexing certificate
- a letter from your vet with your pet’s microchip number and the vet’s V-number (their registration number to practice as a vet)
- a statutory declaration
- a receipt for the cost of the desexing procedure.