02 6499 2222 council@begavalley.nsw.gov.au
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Registration of Dogs and Cats

All dogs and cats born after the 30th June 1999 must be microchipped prior to a change of ownership or before the animal is 12 weeks old, whichever comes first and registered at six months of age.

 

All pet cats and dogs in NSW must be registered on the NSW Pet Registry either by 12 weeks of age or immediately upon transfer (whichever happens first). Pets must be microchipped before they can be registered. The person selling or giving away the pet is responsible for getting the pet microchipped.

Did you know?

  • You must be over 18 to own a cat or dog in NSW.
  • Puppies and kittens must be at least 8 weeks old before you take them home.
  • The law requires those selling or giving away puppies and kittens to microchip them.
  • Puppies and kittens must receive initial rounds of vaccinations against common infectious diseases when they're 6 to 8 weeks old.
  • If a dog is not desexed by 6 months of age, an additional fee will apply. If a cat is not desexed by 4 months of age, an annual permit will be required. However, your vet can recommend an extension on these timelines or a permanent desexing exemption for medical reasons.

You can create a profile on the NSW Pet Registry to instantly take ownership of your new pet and officially register them online.

How to register your pet

You become the official owner of a pet once its profile is transferred to you on the NSW Pet Registry. Sign up to the NSW Pet Registry to pay your pet’s registration fee online and complete the registration process.

This fee covers the cat or dog for its lifetime in NSW, even if ownership changes. It helps fund public pet services across NSW like, ranger services and responsible pet ownership education and safety programs.

If puppies or kittens are still in a breeder’s care after 12 weeks, the breeder must register them as their own pet and pay the registration fee.

New registration fees are in accordance with sections 18 and 27 of the Companion Animals Regulation 2018.
Fee changes from 1 July 2024
 

Registration Category Registration Description   Registration Fee Fee with Late Fee
Dog - Registration Registration fee for dogs at 12 weeks of age or when first transferred. 78.00 100.00
Dog - Registration including additional fee Combined registration fee and additional fee for a dog not desexed by the relevant desexing age of 6 months 262.00 284.00
Dog - Registration (sold by pound/shelter) Desexed dog sold by an eligible pound/shelter 0.00 0.00
Dog - Registration (eligible pensioner) Animal owned by an eligible pensioner 34.00 56.00
Dog - Registration (recognised breeder) Animal not desexed and kept by a recognised breeder for breeding purposes 78.00 100.00
Dog - Registration Desexing - Not Recmd Registration fee for dogs at 12 weeks of age for animal with written notification from a vet that it should not be desexed 78.00 100.00
Dog - Registration Desexing - Not Recmd (eligible pensioner) Animal owned by an eligible pensioner with written notification from a vet that it should not be desexed 34.00 56.00
Dog - Service of the State Dog in the service of the State, for example, a police dog 0.00 0.00
Dog - Working Working dog 0.00 0.00
Assistance Animal Animal under 6 months of age training to be an assistance animal, for example, a guide dog 0.00 0.00
Cat - Registration Desexed or Not Desexed Registration fee - for cats at 12 weeks 68.00 90.00
Cat - Registration Desexed (eligible pensioner) Animal owned by an eligible pensioner 34.00 56.00
Cat - Registration Desexed (sold by pound/shelter) Desexed cat sold by an eligible pound/shelter 0.00 0.00
Cat - Registration Not Desexed - Not Recmd (eligible pensioner) Animal owned by an eligible pensioner with written notification from a vet that it should not be desexed 34.00 56.00
Cat - Registration Not Desexed - Not Recmd Animal with written notification from a vet that it should not be desexed 68.00 90.00
Cat - Registration (recognised breeder) Animal not desexed and kept by a recognised breeder for breeding purposes 68.00 90.00
Registration late fee A late fee is applicable if a registration is not paid for by 28 days after the registration requirement. 0.00 22.00
Additional Fee Additional fee is due if the animal is not desexed by 6 months. 184.00 206.00

 

Alternate Payment Options

You can attend council 1 Zingle Place Bega or submit the completed Lifetime Registration form with Council via email council@begavalley.nsw.gov.au.

Important Information

The Companion Animals Act requires that you notify Council if:

  • You change your address and or telephone number - within 14 days
  • You rehome your dog or cat (you must provide the new owners details) - within 14 days
  • The animal dies – within 28 days after the animal dies
  • A declaration by a court that a dog is dangerous (made or revoked) - within 7 days
  • The animal has been missing for more than 72 hours - within 96 hours after the animal goes missing
  • The animal has been found after having been reported missing – within 72 hours of the animal being found
    This notification should be in writing. Failure to notify the above changes can result in penalties.

 

© Bega Valley Shire Council 2025

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