Microchipping & Lifetime Registration
Each year approximately 80 000 dogs and cats are lost, hurt or stolen in NSW alone. Most are impounded and due to their lack of identification, cannot be returned to their owners and risk being destroyed.
Under the Companion Animals Act 1998, passed by NSW Government, dog and cat owners must take two simple steps to provide lifetime protection for their pet; microchipping and lifetime registration.
Microchipping
What you need to know about microchipping your pet:
- By 12 weeks of age, all puppies and kittens must be microchipped.
- Microchipping is usually carried out by a vet. It is very safe, almost painless, and is done at a low cost.
- A microchip the size of a grain of rice is inserted quickly and safely into your pet between their shoulders.
- The chip carries a unique number that can be read by a scanner to identify your pet. The NSW Pet Registry records all microchip numbers, which are linked to the pet owner’s details. Therefore, you can be informed if your pet is found.
- Your privacy is strictly protected. Only authorised people can access the register, which is not linked to any other databases.
- When your cat or dog is microchipped, you are required to complete a Permanent Identification/Registration Form. These can be submitted to the Inverell Shire Council or completed by your local vet, where a Certificate of Identification will then be sent to you before your pet is six (6) months old. As of 1 July 2021, a $5 processing fee will be charged if these forms are lodged with the Inverell Shire Council.
- From the time your pet is 12 weeks old, it is required to display an ID disc with your name and contact number on it.
Lifetime Registration
What you need to know about lifetime registrations for your pet:
- Registration links your pet’s microchip number with your personal details.
- To register a pet, you must be 18 years of age or over. In the instance that the pet is owned by a child or teenager, the pet must be registered by the parent on the child’s behalf.
- Dangerous/restricted dogs which are not registered by the age of 6 months carry a maximum penalty of $6600.00 for the owner for failure to comply.
How To Register
It’s easier than ever before to register your cat or dog:
Online
Registrations can be completed online via:
- The NSW Pet Registry website, or
- The Service NSW website using your MyServiceNSW account
Over the counter
You can also register your dog or cat in person via:
- Your local council office, or
- Any Service NSW centre
Make sure you bring with you the relevant documentation listed below.
Once you have filled out and sent away your Permanent Identification/Registration Form at the time of microchipping your pet, you should have received a Certificate of Identification.
To register your pet (by 6 months of age), you must provide the following documentation:
- Certificate of Identification;
- Address where the animal is usually kept, along with a contact phone number;
- Evidence of Desexing (if applicable);
- A copy of your Breeder Membership Card (if applicable). Also, a statement by the owner advising that the animal is to be kept for breeding purposes;
- A copy of your Pensioner Card (if applicable);
Register your cat or dog in person by taking your documentation to Inverell Shire Council Administration Centre, 144 Otho Street, Inverell, by visiting your local Service NSW branch or online at the NSW Pet Registry or on the Service NSW website.
Fees
If you have your pet desexed, you will be eligible for a reduced registration fee. You will need to provide evidence that your pet has been desexed at the time of registration, for instance, a veterinary certificate or bill.
If you are a recognised cat or dog breeder, you will need to provide a copy of your current Breeder’s Membership card when registering.
If applying for a reduced pensioner fee, you will need to provide a copy of your current Pension Card.
Registration fees and conditions are set by the NSW Government – Office of Local Government.
FEE SCHEDULE FOR STATE-WIDE LIFETIME REGISTRATION
| Pet Registration Fees as at 1 July 2023 | |
|---|---|
| Dog - Desexed (by relevant age) | $75.00 |
| Dog - Desexed (by relevant age eligible pensioner) | $32.00 |
| Dog - Desexed (sold by pound/shelter) | No fee |
| Dog - Not Desexed or Desexed (after relevant age) | $252.00 |
| Dog - Not Desexed (not recommended) | $75.00 |
| Dog - Not Desexed (recognised breeder) | $75.00 |
| Dog - Working | No fee |
| Dog - Service of the State | No fee |
| Assistance Animal | No fee |
| Cat - Desexed or Not Desexed | $65.00 |
| Cat - Eligible Pensioner (must be desexed) | $32.00 |
| Cat - Desexed (sold by pound/shelter) | No fee |
| Cat - Not Desexed (not recommended) | $65.00 |
| Cat - Not Desexed (recognised breeder) | $65.00 |
| Pet Registration General Exemptions | |
|---|---|
| Older cats | A cat born before 1 July 1999 if the owner has not changed since that time. |
| Pets being rehomed | An animal that is in the custody of one or more rehoming organisation for a total period not exceeding 12 months. |
| Research animals | An animal in the custody of an accredited research establishment within the meaning of the Animal Research Act 1985, or the holder of an animal research authority or an animal supplier's licence within the meaning of that Act, for purpose in connection with animal research, as authorised under that Act. |
| Exhibited animals | An animal kept at a licensed animal display establishment within the meaning of the Exhibited Animals Protection Act 1986 and lawfully exhibited in accordance with that Act. |
| Working dogs | A dog that is: > used primarily for the purpose of droving, tending, working or protecting stock, including a dog being trained as a working dog, AND > is ordinarily kept: - in a part of the Western Division of NSW that is not within a local government area (the Unincorporated Area), or - on land categorised as farmland for the purpose of Part 3 of Chapter 15 of the Local Government Act 1993. Owners of these working dogs are encouraged to voluntarily register their valuable animals. If they choose to, there is a zero cost registration category available. All other working dogs that are not exempted under clause 17 of the Regulation must be microchipped and registered in accordance with the Act. |
| Greyhounds | A greyhound is exempt from the requirement to register if it is: > owned by a racing industry participant and registered under the Greyhound Racing Act 2017. |
Annual Permits
From 1 July 2023 owners of:
- Cats not desexed by four months of age will be required to pay an $92.00 annual permit in addition to their one-off lifetime pet registration fee, and
- Dogs of a restricted breed or declared to be dangerous will be required to pay a $221.00 annual permit in addition to a one-off lifetime registration fee.
Further information on Annual Permits can be found on our Annual Permits web page.
Last modified: 30-June-2023
