Selling or Giving Away a Cat or Dog?

New rules now apply - You will need to include a microchip, or breeder, or re-homing body number in your ads.

The identification number can be either:

  • a microchip number
  • a breeder identification number, OR
  • a rehoming organisation number. 

This new rule 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 advertise a cat or dog for sale and don’t use an identification number, or you falsify a number, you could be issued with an on-the-spot fine or face court, where a maximum penalty of $5,500 applies.

Find out more by visiting the NSW Department of Primary Industries website.

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