How to register your pet

If you own a pet, there are two steps involved in registering your pet. The first is having your animal microchipped and permanently identified by a vet, the second is registering your pet with the Pet Registry.

Both processes are a legal requirement, they are also helpful if your pet goes missing. 

Step 1 - Microchip your pet

In NSW, it is a legal requirement that all cats and dogs, (other than exempt cats and dogs), must be microchipped by 12 weeks of age or before being sold or given away, whichever happens first.

Your vet should microchip your pet when it is 12 weeks old. As part of the process, your vet will complete a Permanent Identification Form - P1A, enter this information into the NSW Companion Animal Register on your behalf and provide you with a Certificate of Identification.
Note – Having a Certificate of Identification does not mean that your pet is registered.

Your Vet or identifier are required to enter your details into the Register directly.  If they are unable to do this request, you must ensure this form is sent to your local Council and we can enter them for you.

Step 2 - Register your pet

All cats and dogs, other than exempt cats and dogs, must be registered on the NSW Companion Animal Register. Registration is only required once in the state of NSW and remains in place for the life of that animal, even if the owner changes. Registration information, including the owner’s contact details, must be kept up-to-date by the owner.

Registration must be completed by the time your dog is 6 months of age or your cat is 4 months of age.

You will need to provide the following documentation at the time of registration:

1. Lifetime Registration Form - R2
2. Desexing Certificate – a certificate, letter or clear receipt from a veterinarian showing the microchip number and date of desexing, or a statutory declaration from the owner that the animal has been desexed.
3. Payment of the relevant fee.  See Council Fees & Charges or contact Customer Service on 1300 434 434. See FAQs for information relating to discounted and waived fees. These are only valid if the pet is desexed at the time of registration.

Guidelines to assist with online registrations:

• Pet Owner & Breeder User Guide
• Approved Rehoming Organisations (Office of Local Government)
• Local Pound and Shelters list - NSW (Lost Pet Finders)

NSW Pet Registry

The NSW Pet Registry is a public portal to the online database (Companion Animals Register) of microchipped and registered cats and dogs that live in NSW.

This site has lots of information including a Pet Owner & Breeder User Guide.

Pet owners and breeders can create an online owner profile, update your details, notify if your dog or cat is missing, register ownership changes and pay registration fees online.

Change of address or owner

If you move or change phone numbers you’ll need to complete a Change of Details Form - C3A so that your pet’s registration details are updated.  If you re-home a pet, it is the responsibility of the original owner to have it signed by both parties.

Please complete and lodge this form within 14 days of the change. You can post, take the form into Council or email council@northernbeaches.nsw.gov.au

Annual permits for non-desexed cats and restricted and dangerous dogs

In 2020 the NSW Government introduced annual permits for non-desexed cats and restricted and dangerous dogs as part of its commitment to responsible pet ownership and improving animal welfare standards.

• Owners of cats not desexed by four months of age are required to pay an $92 annual permit fee in addition to their lifetime pet registration fee.
• Owners of dogs of a restricted breed or formally declared to be dangerous are required to pay a $221 annual permit fee in addition to their lifetime registration fee.

Pay for annual permits using the NSW Pet Registry website or in person at any Northern Beaches Customer Service Centre, the Animal Welfare League and Cat Protection Society.

Exemptions are in place for cats that were lifetime registered by 1 July 2020, those kept for breeding purposes by members of recognised breeding bodies, and cats which cannot be de-sexed for medical reasons. 

Animal owners who fail to obtain an annual permit risk being fined under NSW Government legislation. 

More information can be found in the Introduction of annual permits for non-desexed cats and dangerous/restricted dogs - FAQs.

More information

The Office of Local Government website has more information regarding responsible pet ownership and the NSW Companion Animals Act 1998.

FAQs

 View FAQs