Microchipping and Registration

Microchipping and registration of cats and dogs is a legal requirement in NSW. The microchip number is the unique identification number for your pet and registration allows for the relevant information linked to that number to be kept up to date on the database including owners contact details. Microchipping and registration is the best way for Councils (or vets) to contact you if your pet is found. Once registered it is free to update your details at any NSW Council, or online at www.petregistry.nsw.gov.au

MICROCHIPPING

Dogs and cats must be identified by a microchip from the time the animal is 12 weeks of age. A dog or cat must not be sold, transferred or given away unless it has been microchipped. Penalties apply for non compliance with this requirement.

Microchips are about the size of a grain of rice and are implanted beneath the animal's skin between the shoulders. No personal information is stored on the microchip, only the unique identification number. Animals can be microchipped by any authorised identifier including the Dubbo City Animal Shelter or your local vet.

When purchasing a dog or cat ask the seller for a copy of the microchip paperwork. It is the seller’s responsibility to lodge a Change of Details form with Council or to release the animal to you online at www.petregistry.nsw.gov.au. Once released you can create your own profile online and claim your pet and update your contact details.

All animals impounded by Council must be microchipped prior to release from the Dubbo City Animal Shelter.  Every animal purchased from the Dubbo City Animal Shelter will already be microchipped at the time of adoption. For microchipping fees, click here

REGISTRATION 

In NSW, registration is for the lifetime of your animal. The Companion Animals Act 1998 (NSW) ('Act') requires all dogs and cats to be registered by the time the animal is 12 weeks old. Please note, you must register your animal within 28 days of these due dates, or a late fee will be payable with your registration fee.

An additional fee will apply if your dogs and cats have not met the desexing requirements.

Registration cannot be done until your animal is microchipped. The microchip and registration are a record of your ownership of the animal. Registration fees are used by Council’s for providing animal management related services to the community. These may include ranger services, shelter facilities, dog refuse bins, leash-free areas, educational and other companion animal-related activities.

All animals impounded by Council must be registered prior to release from the Dubbo City Animal Shelter. 

Discounted registration is available for dogs that are desexed prior to six (6) months of age and cats that are desexed prior to four (4) months of age.

Cats that are not desexed by four (4) months of age are required to pay an annual permit.

NSW Pet Registry

Pet owners and breeders can create an online profile with the NSW pet registry. You can update your details, notify if your dog or cat is missing, register ownership changes and pay registration fees online.

Breeders are issued with a breeder identification number to record owner and animal information to help track litters over time.

Vets are required to update the register when they desex cats and dogs. Vets are also able to update the register if they believe a pet should not be desexed for medical reasons.

Registering in Person at Council

Registration can be completed in person at Council's Customer Experience Centre’s in Dubbo or Wellington or Dubbo City Animal Shelter. 

To register at Council you will need your animal's microchip number. To claim a pensioner or breeder discount you will need to show documented proof in person at Council. For desexed discount your vet should update the desexed status online to allow you to receive the discount online. Alternatively, you can bring a desexing certificate to Council and register in person. Proof or a statutory declaration may be required to receive working dog registration.

Lifetime Registration fees are set by the Office of Local Government (OLG), and are subject to change. Check the current fee schedule at the OLG website.

Further information regarding microchipping, registration and your responsibilities as a pet owner is available from the Office of Local Government.

CHANGE OF DETAILS

The information linked to your animal's microchip and registration needs to be kept up to date so we can contact you if your animal is found or injured. There is no charge to update details and you can do so as often as you need to. To update your details it is recommended that you do so online at www.petregistry.nsw.gov.au by creating your own profile and claiming your animals. Alternatively you can complete one of the following forms and return it to Council in person, by mail or email.

Change of Address Form  (PDF 404.3KB)

NOTIFICATION OF DECEASED ANIMAL

If your companion animal (dog or cat) has passed away, you are required to notify Dubbo Regional Council within:

• 28 days for a dog or cat
• 24 hours if your dog is classified as restricted or declared dangerous

Council will liaise on your behalf to remove your pet from the NSW Companion Animal Register. There is not fee associated with removal; however penalties may apply if you fail to notify Council within the relevant time frame, or you knowingly give false or misleading information.

Last Edited: 18 Oct 2024

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