Microchipping and Registering your Pet

It’s a requirement in NSW for all cats and dogs to be microchipped and placed on the NSW Pet Registry by the time they reach 12 weeks of age, or prior to sale, whichever comes first. More than 150,000 dogs and cats are lost or stolen every year in NSW. Many are impounded when their owners cannot be contacted, some may end up rehomed or even euthanised.

Process

Microchipping and registration is a two-step process:

  1. Permanent identification through microchipping
    Under the Companion Animals Act, cats and dogs throughout NSW must be identified (by microchipping) by the time the animal is 12 weeks old. Once the animal is microchipped, these identification details are entered into the NSW Companion Animal Register. A certificate is then issued to the owner with the identification details.

    The permanent identification (microchipping) and lifetime registration scheme greatly assists authorities in returning lost or injured animals to their owners.

    Once microchipped and registered, your pet is protected for life.

  2. Pet Registration
     To register your pet, you will need:
    • Lifetime Registration R2 form 
    • A certificate of microchipping or letter from your vet
    • Proof of desexing from your vet or a statutory declaration
    • Any documents which entitle you to a discount (for example pension card)
    • Payment can be made at Council either by cheque, money order, EFTPOS, VISA or cash

Updating the Microchip 

You must notify Council if any of the following circumstances occur:

Change of details

As a pet owner, you have a responsibility to ensure that the information on the NSW Companion Animals Register is up to date and correct. You can correct or update the information on your animal's certificate by contacting any Council. You may need to provide your request in writing before Council can amend your record.

Change of owner

Change of owner/details form

Change of address

A new service has been created for NSW cat and dog owners. You can update your pet’s details on the Registry (www.petregistry.nsw.gov.au) or over the counter at your local council. The NSW Pet Registry enables lost pets to be reunited with their owners and is now available for cat and dog owners to:

  • create an owner profile,
  • update their contact details,
  • transfer ownership of pets
  • report their pet missing, and,
  • pay most lifetime registration fees online.

The Pet Registry will also be used by pet breeders, vets and authorised identifiers. Pet breeders, who create a profile on the Pet Register, will be able to have their new litters added straight to their profile. Veterinarians and authorised identifiers are able to enter a pet’s details directly onto the Pet Registry as part of their microchipping service, reducing errors and making data entry more efficient.

For the time being, paper forms are still available for those who cannot use the Pet Registry. People with assistance and working dogs will also need to register their dog in person at their local council.

Pet Registry website

Registrations costs 

All NSW Councils are connected to the state-wide register. For more information about registration, including costs, click here. 

The cost of registering your pet may vary depending on your circumstances.

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