Updates to registration payments
The new NSW Digital Pet Registry is a key part of the NSW Government’s work to strengthen animal welfare standards and promote responsible pet ownership.
The new NSW Pet Registry will make it easier for breeders and owners to connect and transfer ownership, keep their contact details up up-to-date, and receive notifications about important milestones in their pet’s life.
Companion Animals Regulation clause 14 a) and b)
From 1 July 2024, the Office of Local Government implemented clause 14 a) and b) of the Companion Animals Regulation 2018 wherein:
a companion animal is required to be registered—
(a) from the time the animal is 12 weeks old, or
(b) when the animal is first sold (even if it is less than 12 weeks old).
Payment of the standard registration fee is required by the time the animal is 12 weeks old, or the date on which ownership of the animal is transferred to a new owner, whichever happens first. Until payment is made, a pet is not registered.
Breeders must pay the registration fee for any pets still in their name at 12 weeks of age.
Pets do not have to be desexed by 12 weeks to avoid paying additional fees
With the rollout of the new NSW Digital Pet Registry, only the standard registration fee is payable by 12 weeks, regardless of the pet’s desexed status. This applies to registrations paid via the NSW Digital Pet Registry, or when fees are paid at council.
In NSW, there are additional charges for owning a non-desexed pet.
Owners are charged an:
- additional fee if they do not desex their dog by 6 months of age
- annual permit fee if they do not desex their cat by 4 months of age.
Link my pet
Owners and breeders across NSW can link their pet using the pet’s microchip number to their NSW Digital Pet Registry account.
Owners will be able to complete important pet-related tasks online.
- Make their registration payments.
- Transfer ownership of their pet.
- Update their personal contact details.
- Update their pet’s location.
- Mark their pet as missing or deceased.
Council’s responsibilities and authority remain
Councils must continue to accept payments and otherwise support pet owners in meeting their responsible pet ownership obligations under the Companion Animals Act 1998.
As registration agents, councils are responsible under the Companions Animal Act (1998), Regulation and Companion Animals Guidelines for ensuring that registration information is entered on the Companion Animals Register and accurately maintained.
Council discretion in applying or dismissing late fees, additional payments and annual permits
Each council has its own procedure and policies on how this discretion should be applied.
To request an exemption from an additional fee or annual permit, councils must email [email protected] with a reason for the exemption request.