Microchipping and Identification
- In NSW, all cats and dogs must be microchipped by 12 weeks of age or before being sold or given away, whichever occurs first.
- Therefore will need to have your pet microchipped by your Veterinary Surgeon or an authorised identifier.
- All dogs must wear a suitable collar with an identification tag with the animal's name and owner's contact details on it.
More information on microchipping is available here.
Pet Registration
- All dog and cats must be registered by six months of age unless they are exempt. Exemption information is available here.
- The registration fee is a once-only payment, which covers the cat or dog for its lifetime in NSW, regardless of any changes in ownership.
- You are encouraged to have your cat or dog desexed before registering it. Discounted registration fees apply to desexed cats or dogs.
- To receive the discounted lifetime registration cats will need to be desexed by 4 months of age and dogs desexed by 6 months of age.
- A permit is required to own a cat that is 4 months old or older and not desexed. An annual permit fee for an undesexed cat is in addition to the on-off lifetime pet registration fee.
More information on pet registration is available here.
Why Desex?
There are many reasons why pet owners should desex their pets in addition to the discounted registration fees that apply to desexed cats or dogs. Aside from preventing accidental litters and thousands of unwanted cats and dogs ending up in shelters, there are many health and behavioural benefits to desexing.
Desexed animals are generally less likely to get diseases and certain illnesses such as mammary cancer and uterine infections in females and prostate problems in males.
Desexing commonly reduces behavioural problems such as roaming, aggression and urine marking in males. In females it prevents mating behaviour and false pregnancy.
Reducing the desire to roam also reduces the risk of your pet being in a traumatic accident, such as being hit by a car. Owners save money from expensive surgeries from car accidents or fights.
Desexing dogs and cats reduces the cost to the community of having to care for unwanted puppies and kittens in pounds and shelters. There are no additional food or vet bills for the offspring. No need to find homes for unwanted or unexpected litters of puppies or kittens.
The dumping of puppies and kittens is an ethical cost, as well as being illegal and inhumane.
To discuss the benefits of desexing your dog or cat further, or to organise your pet's desexing procedure, please contact your local veterinary practice.
NSW Online Pet Registry
The NSW Pet Registry (Office of Local Government) is an online database of micro-chipped and registered cats and dogs that live in New South Wales.
The NSW Pet Registry enables lost pets to be reunited with their owners.
Visit to NSW Pet Registry to:
- Create an owner profile
- Pay most lifetime registration fees online
- Update your contact details
- Transfer ownership of pets
- Report your pet missing
Access the Online Pet Registry here
Pet Registry Online User Guides and FAQ for owners and breeders are available here.
The Pet registry also has links to information on pet law (the duties and responsibilities of owners in NSW) and Pet Safety Education for you and your children.
Registering Your Pet in person at Council
Pet owners who do not want to use the online Pet Registry can still complete paper forms at their local council.
People with assistance and working dogs will also need to register their dog in person at their local council.
To register your pet with Council you will need to provide the following:
- The applicable fee
- A signed Lifetime Registration (R2) Form (forms are available on the Office of Local Government website here)
- A copy of your cat or dog's Permanent Identification (P1A) Form or Verification of Existing Microchip (M1) Form completed by an Authorised Identifier, or Certificate of Identification.
- Proof of desexing, if applicable. This may take the form of a Certificate of Sterilisation or receipt containing microchip number from a Vet or a statutory declaration from a previous owner stating that the cat or dog has been desexed and is Permanently incapable of reproduction.
- Any other document entitling you to a discount, for example, a pensioner concession card or recognised breeder identification.
Please provide the required documentation and attend Council’s main Customer Service Centre at 3 Columbia Court, Baulkham Hills 2153, or one of our libraries.
Please Note: The library services do NOT keep cash on the premises, you must pay by eftpos or cheque.
Registration, microchip verification and permanent identification forms are available the Office of Local Government website.
To Register By Mail
Forward your cheque, money order or credit card details made out to The Hills Shire Council, along with the required documentation (see above) to:
The Hills Shire Council, PO Box 7064 Norwest 2153