Microchipping & Registration
Download a brochure of this information - 
Animal ID and Registration - 84 KB
Microchipping and lifetime registration of cats and dogs is now compulsory.
Registering and microchipping gives your dog or cat a much better chance of being recovered if lost, hurt or stolen. The RSPCA was forced to euthanise 34.4% of dogs and 57.8% of cats it received in 2004/2005, partly due to being unable to find their owners.
The Companion Animals Act 1998 requires you first to have your dog microchipped by a vet or animal welfare organisation and to then pay a lifetime registration fee.
Microchipping your pet
Your dog or cat must be chipped by 12 weeks of age for lifetime identification.
Vets, animal welfare organizations and other authorised people can microchip your cat or dog. Some vets and animal welfare organisations offer discount rates on microchipping, so shop around for the best price.
Registering your pet
Your dog or cat must be registered with any local Council by six months of age.
The registration price is a once-only payment and the fees help Council provide pounds services, rangers, dog refuse bins and other pet facilities.
To register bring the following to Council’s Help & Service Centre:
- A certificate of microchipping or a letter from your vet
- Proof of desexing from your vet or a statutory declaration
- Any other documents that entitle you to a discount.
You will also need to fill out a form, available at Council or online at the Companion Animals Website.
The registration fees are:
- Desexed animals - $40
- Undesexed (entire) animals - $150
- Desexed animals owned by an eligible pensioner - $15
- Undesexed animals kept by a registered breeder for breeding purposes - $40
- Assistance dogs - free
Council will process your registration and add the information to a statewide register accessible by all NSW Councils.