Pet registrations

You must register your cat and dog. Registrations are managed by the NSW Government's Pet Registry. 

Pet registration

Cats and dogs must be microchipped and registered.

If your pet is registered and your details are up to date, it can be safely returned if it gets lost. It’s also the law – pet cats and dogs must be microchipped and then registered in NSW.

You can get your dog or cat microchipped at your local vet.

You must register your pet online on the NSW Government's Pet Registry website.

Register online

If you are unable to register online, you can download a paper form from the Office of Local Government and take it to one of our customer service centres.

Note, if you are a registered breeder seeking a registration discount, you'll need to visit one of our customer service centre with copies of your breeder's certificates.

If you own a cat that hasn't been desexed or a restricted/dangerous dog, you will have to pay an additional annual fee.

Changing your registration

You need to update the NSW Pet Registry when:

  • any change occurs in the registration information or animal identification information (let us know within 14 days)

  • a court declares (or revokes a declaration that) your dog is dangerous or menacing (within 7 days)

  • your pet passes away (notification required within 28 days)

  • your pet has been missing for more than 72 hours (within 4 days)

  • your pet has been found after having been reported missing (within 3 days).

You can change your pet's details online on the NSW Government's Pet Registry website.

Register online

If you are unable to register online, you can download a paper form from the Office of Local Government and take it to one of our customer service centres.

Selling or giving away a pet

Advertisements selling or giving away kittens, cats, puppies or dogs, must include an identification number. The identification number can be either:

  • a microchip number

  • a breeder identification number

  • a rehoming organisation number.

This applies regardless of:

  • the age of the animal

  • the place you plan to advertise

  • whether you are a hobby or professional breeder; or your cat or dog has had an accidental or one-off litter

  • whether or not you bred the animal

  • whether or not the animal you are selling or rehoming has been born yet.

If you don't use a correct identification number you may be fined or face court.

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