If a vet has determined that a dog/cat should not be desexed, they must provide the owner with a written statement on the vet’s letterhead. This letter is required to include the pets Microchip number and the medical reason(s) why the animal should not be desexed. This needs to be provided with the registration form to be eligible for the discounted fee.

Dogs/cats ordinarily kept in NSW must be registered on the NSW Companion Animal Register.  If an animal moves from interstate of overseas, it must be kept in NSW continuously for a period of at least 3 months before registration is required.

The owner is required to complete a Permanent Identification Form - P1A as their details will not be on the register, as well as a Lifetime Registration Form - P2. They can attend their local vet if they are unable to provide the Microchip number and have the vet complete the Verification of Existing Microchip Form - M1.

Pet owners can change ownership by submitting a Change of Details Form - C3A.

Proof that ownership has transferred is required before a change of ownership can occur. Council will contact the last known owner directly, taking care to verify the person’s identity and following relevant protocols.

If the former owner is not contactable, Council must investigate and determine the legitimacy of the request. A statutory declaration completed by the new owner may be acceptable if the Council officer handling the enquiry is satisfied that the transfer is legitimate.

If a registered pet owner asserts that they no longer own an animal and/or do not know the current owner’s details, an officer of a registration agent must be reasonably satisfied this is true prior to updating the Register.

A registration agent may require the registered (former) owner to:

• complete all possible details about the new owner on a ‘Change of Owner’ form, and/or
• sign a statutory declaration that they ceased to be the owner of the animal on a specified date and that they do not know the details of the new owner. They may also include a copy of the death certificate of the previous owner with the statutory declaration.

All pet owners are required to provide updated information for the NSW Pet Registry.  This may be where a change relates to:

• Change of address, phone number and/or email
• Change of ownership of an animal
• Death of an animal
• That an animal is missing or has been found

This must be done in writing to Council and is to include the Microchip number, copy of certificate from vet if the animal has been euthanised (if applicable).

A NIL fee for a pound/shelter animal can only be applied if the animal has been desexed PRIOR to adoption and the animal has been adopted from an approved pound or shelter. Please refer to the following link for all eligible pounds / shelters - Rehoming Organisations.

There is no allowance for delaying desexing a pound/shelter animal. If the animal is not desexed, the applicable fee will still apply.

A Pensioner discount is only applicable for a desexed animal.  If the pet is NOT desexed the full fee is applicable. The Pensioner discounted fee is noted in the Council Fees & Charges.

An assistance animal in NSW is a dog or other animal that is either:

1. Accredited under a law of a State or Territory that provides for the accreditation of animals trained to assist a person with a disability to alleviate the effect of that disability; OR
2. Accredited by an animal training organisation prescribed by the Commonwealth; or
3. Trained to assist a person with a disability to alleviate the effect of that disability, and, to meet standards of hygiene and behaviour appropriate for an animal in a public place.

This is based on how assistance animals are defined in Commonwealth law (Disability Discrimination Act 1992). Currently neither the Commonwealth nor NSW laws provide for the accreditation of assistance animals. A working dog cannot also be an assistance animal.

Assistance animals need to be micro-chipped and registered in NSW. However, no fee is charged for registering an assistance animal. Registration lasts for the life of the animal. If you change address or your animal goes missing or dies, please notify your local council.

It is also strongly recommended that assistance animals are vaccinated and de‑sexed. Do not train a restricted or dangerous dog as an assistance animal.

Once the animal has been microchipped by a vet or authorised identifier, they are required to complete a Permanent Identification Form - P1A and provide this to Council/Pet Registry. The  owner should then complete the Lifetime Registration Form - R2 and return it to their local Council for a no fee registration. Councils are entitled to request reasonable proof that your animal is a genuine assistance animal. Supporting documentation required includes:

• Proof that you have a disability;
• Proof that your animal has been trained to alleviate the effect of the disability; and
• Proof that your animal is trained to meet standards of hygiene and behaviour appropriate for an animal in a public place.

Importantly, a person with a disability has the right to train their own assistance animal so long as they can provide proof that that the training means the animal meets the definition of an assistance animal (see FAQ 'What is an assistance animal?').

Refer to the Exercise of Functions Guidelines, or contact your local council for advice about what kinds of proof are acceptable.

Registration as an assistance animal under the Companion Animals Act 1998 does not necessarily provide proof the animal is an assistance animal for the purposes of entering a public place or public transport.

Disability covers a wide range of physical and psychological conditions and includes:

• total or partial loss of the bodily or mental functions;
• total or partial loss of a part of the body;
• the presence in the body of organisms causing disease or illness;
• the presence in the body of organisms capable of causing disease or illness;
• the malfunction, malformation or disfigurement of a part of the person’s body;
• a disorder or malfunction that results in the person learning differently; or
• a disorder, illness or disease that affects a person’s thought processes, perception of reality, emotions or judgement or that results in disturbed behaviour.