Register Pets

What you need to know

  • All dogs and cats must be registered by 12 weeks of age unless they are exempt.
  • 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 one-off lifetime pet registration fee.
  • Before you register your pet, your pet must be microchipped. In NSW, all cats and dogs must be microchipped by a vet or authorised identifier by 12 weeks of age or before being sold or given away, whichever occurs first.
  • When you register your pet, you will need to know their microchip number. The microchip number should be on your pet's vaccination, sterilisation certificate or other document provided by your vet.

You can find more information on the NSW Pet Registry's Frequently Asked Questions web page.

Or call the Pet Registry Technical Assistance Line - 1300 134 460

 

Dog and Cat Registration Fees - click to open

The registration fee is a once-only payment, which covers the cat or dog for its lifetime in NSW, regardless of any changes of ownership. 

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.

Dog - Registration

$78

Dog - Additional Fee (dogs not desexed by 6 months) $184
Dog - Registration including additional fee $262
Dog - Registration (desexing not recommended) $78
Dog - Desexed (sold by pound/shelter) $0.00
 Dog - Registration (recognised breeder) $78

Dog - Desexed (by relevant age eligible pensioner)

$34

Dog - Working

$0.00

Dog - Service of the State

$0.00

Assistance Animal

$0.00

Cat - Registration

$68

Cat - Registration (desexing not recommended) $68

Cat - Desexed (eligible pensioner or eligible pensioner desexing not recommended)

$34

Cat - Desexed (sold by pound/shelter)

$0.00

Cat - Not Desexed (recognised breeder)

$68

Annual Permit Category - New Fee Amount

Cat not desexed by four months of age

$96

Dangerous Dog

$230

Restricted Dog

$230

Permit Late Fee

$22

Registration Late Fee

$22

Exemptions - click to open

Pets that are exempt from registration and microchipping include:

  • A cat born before 1 July 1999 whose ownership has not changed
  • A working dog used for tending stock on a rural property
  • A greyhound currently registered under the Greyhound Racing Act 2009
  • Trained assistance animals will have to be microchipped and registered. However, there is no registration fee.

Please note: Even if your pet is exempt, it is recommended that you have your cat or dog microchipped for its protection.

Any applicable exemption is lost and your cat or dog must be microchipped and registered if:

  • Action has been taken against you regarding the behaviour of your cat or dog under the Companion Animals Act 1998

Animals should be microchipped and registered if:

  • It is a nuisance cat or dog
  • A restricted dog and a declared dangerous or menacing dog
    • This includes a working dog that has been declared a dangerous dog.

 

Animals taken into the custody of a council pound or animal welfare organisation:

  • Must be microchipped and registered before being returned to its owner (even if it is less than 12 weeks old).

Steps to Register Online

By creating an owner profile on the NSW Pet Registry website you can:

  • pay your pet’s registration fees online (which is due by the time the pet is 12 weeks old)
  • log back in at any time to keep your contact details and profile up-to-date
  • notify if pets as missing
  • transfer ownership. 

Step 1.What You Will Need

To register online (verification process), you will need:

  • Identification details (such as a Driver's Licence, Medicare card or Australian Passport Number)
  • Your pet's microchip number

Note: These documents are not stored on the NSW Pet Registry.

 

Step 2.What To Do Next

Once your customer profile has been verified search for your pet's microchip number.

You may need to arrange for a Vet to scan the pet to confirm the pets microchip. 

 

Step 3.I'm ready to the NSW Pet Registry website

Click here to access the Online Pet Registry. 

Then follow the prompts.

 

Please contact our customer service centre on 02 9843 0555 is you are unable to complete your online registration and we can advise you further.

In Person

If you prefer you can register your pet by visiting our customer service centers.

Step 1.Gather your documents

To register your pet in person at Council, you will need the following:

  • The applicable fee (see the Dog and Cat Registrations Fees on this page)
  • A signed Lifetime Registration (R2) Form – from the Office of Local Government website
  • 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 documents entitling you to a discount, for example, a pensioner concession card or recognised breeder identification

Step 2.Visit us

Please bring physical copies of all required and relevant documentation when you visit Council’s main Customer Service Centre at 3 Columbia Court, Norwest 2153, or one of our libraries.

Feel free to call Council on 9843 0555 to make sure you have everything you need before visiting us.

Please Note: Council does NOT accept payments by cash or cheque. Payment must be made by eftpos or credit card.

By Mail

Step 1.Gather your documents 

To register your pet via mail, you will need the following:

  • A signed Lifetime Registration (R2) Form – This form can be found on the Office of Local Government website
  • 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 documents entitling you to a discount, for example, a pensioner concession card or recognised breeder identification

Step 2.Mail us

Post all required documentation to the below address:

The Hills Shire Council

PO Box 7064, Norwest 2153

Step 3.Payment

Once your documentation is received by Council, you will be contacted to process a credit card payment over the phone.

What You Need to Know

 

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.

 

Dog and Cat Registration Fees (updated July 2020)

Dog - Desexed (by relevant age) $60.00
Dog - Desexed (by relevant age eligible pensioner)
$26.00

Dog - Desexed (sold by pound/shelter)

$30.00

Dog - Not Desexed or Desexed after relevant age $216.00 ($60.00 + $156.00 additional fee)
Dog - Not Desexed (not recommended) $60.00
Dog - Not Desexed (recognised breeder) $60.00
 Dog - working  $0.00
 Dog - service of the state  $0.00
 Assistance animal  $0.00

 Cat - Desexed or Not Desexed 

 Not Desexed annual cat permit

 $50.00

 $80.00

 Cat - eligible pensioner  $26.00
 Cat - Desexed (sold by pound/shelter)  $25.00
 Cat - Not Desexed (not recommended)  $50.00
 Cat - Not Desexed (recognised breeder)  $50.00
  • Trained assistance animals - will have to be microchipped and registered but there will be no registration fee.
  • Lifetime registration fees are annually indexed to CPI (as of 1 July 2014).
  • The prescribed maximum fee for council inspections of restricted and dangerous dog enclosures - $150.
 
 

How to Register, Make a Payment or Change Your Information

 

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