Your fluffy little friend depends on you to provide a safe home.
Becoming a cat or dog owner is incredibly exciting, but it's a big responsibility. Pets need you to help create a community that values and upholds their wellbeing.
Did you know?
- You must be over 18 to own a cat or dog in NSW.
- Puppies and kittens must be at least 8 weeks old before you take them home.
- The law requires those selling or giving away puppies and kittens to microchip them.
- Puppies and kittens must receive initial rounds of vaccinations against common infectious diseases when they're 6 to 8 weeks old.
- If a dog is not desexed by 6 months of age, an additional fee will apply. If a cat is not desexed by 4 months of age, an annual permit will be required. However, your vet can recommend an extension on these timelines or a permanent desexing exemption for medical reasons
- You can create a profile on the NSW Pet Registry to instantly take ownership of your new pet and officially register them online.
Pet care essentials
Caring for pets requires time, energy and dedication. It's important to consider how a cat or dog will fit in with your lifestyle, work schedule, holidays and family dynamics. Pet care costs can also stack up quickly. Make sure you're prepared by researching long-term pet costs and needs before you take on the responsibility of owning a pet.