Only the owner of the animal or an ‘agent of the owner’ can register an animal with Council. An owner is a person or an organisation that has the animal in his or her care. Where the owner of a dog/cat is under the age of 18 years, the parent or guardian of that owner will be deemed the legal owner of the dog/cat. If an ‘agent of the owner’ is to register an animal on behalf of the owner, the following documentation is required:

• Letter or statutory declaration signed by the owner advising that the agent is able to register the animal on the owners behalf; or

• Power of attorney documentation stating that the person has the power to make legal decisions (not medical power of attorney).

Registration can be done online at NSW Pet Registry or a form can be filled out at council. Pet owners are also able to change or update their pets details via the website or at council.

From 1 July 2020 owners of dogs of a restricted breed or formally declared to be dangerous will be required to pay annual permit fee in addition to their one-off lifetime pet registration fee. This will serve as a further disincentive to owning high-risk dogs and encourage owners to better manage the behaviour of their animal. Owners of cats not desexed by four months of age will be required to pay an annual permit fee in addition to their one-off lifetime pet registration fee.

Documentation that may be required to register your pet may include:

• Microchipping certificate (compulsory for all animals)

• Desexing certificate (compulsory for all cats and some declared dogs)

• Pension or concession card (required to apply for pensioner discount)

• Evidence of animal's age (required if applying for reduced registration fee if your animal is under 6 months old or over 10 years old)

• Applicable training organisation certificate

• Applicable organisation membership

• Applicable pedigree certificate (in the name of the owner)

• Domestic animal business registration

• Evidence of working dog status

• Foster Carer Certificate

Once the paperwork has been completed, submit your application, relevant attachments and pay your animal registration fee at Council's admin office, 81 Cobar St Nyngan, 8:00am - 4:15pm, Monday to Friday.

Registration Category		Registration Description		Species	Fee	Fee with Late Fee
Dog - Registration		Registration fee for dogs at 12 weeks of age or when first transferred.		Dog	$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		Dog	$262.00	$284.00
Dog - Registration (sold by pound/shelter)		Desexed dog sold by an eligible pound/shelter		Dog	$0	$0
Dog - Registration (eligible pensioner)		Animal owned by an eligible pensioner		Dog	$34.00	$56.00
Dog - Registration (recognised breeder)		Animal not desexed and kept by a recognised breeder for breeding purposes		Dog	$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		Dog	$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		Dog	$34.00	$56.00
Dog - Service of the State		Dog in the service of the State, for example, a police dog		Dog	$0	$0
Dog - Working		Working dog		Dog	$0	$0
Assistance Animal		Animal under 6 months of age training to be an assistance animal, for example, a guide dog		Dog/Cat	$0	$0
Cat - Registration Desexed or Not Desexed		Registration fee - for cats at 12 weeks		Cat	$68.00	$90.00
Cat - Registration Desexed (eligible pensioner)		Animal owned by an eligible pensioner		Cat	$34.00	$56.00
Cat - Registration Desexed (sold by pound/shelter)		Desexed cat sold by an eligible pound/shelter		Cat	$0	$0
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		Cat	$34.00	$56.00
Cat - Registration Not Desexed - Not Recmd		Animal with written notification from a vet that it should not be desexed		Cat	$68.00	$90.00
Cat - Registration (recognised breeder)		Animal not desexed and kept by a recognised breeder for breeding purposes		Cat	$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.		Dog/Cat	$0.00	$22.00
Additional Fee		Additional fee is due if the animal is not desexed by 6 months.		Dog	$184.00	$206.00
Annual Permit fees from 1 July 2024 to 30 June 2025 An additional $22 Late fee is applicable if a permit is not paid for by 28 days after the permit requirement took effect.
Permit Type	Permit Description		Permit Fee		Permit Fee with Late Fee
Undesexed Cat	Cat not desexed by 4 months of age		$96		$118
Dangerous Dog	Dog declared to be dangerous		$230		$252
Restricted Dog	Dog declared to be a restricted breed or restricted by birth		$230		$252

Register online at NSW Pet Registry or download the form here and submit to Council's office.

Forms can also be collected from Council's administration office.

Who is responsible for microchipping cats and dogs in NSW

Under NSW law, whoever is selling or giving away the animal must microchip it. This applies whether they’re a professional breeder, a rehoming organisation, or a friend whose pet has had an accidental litter of puppies or kittens.

A breeder/ owner should be able to give you the puppy or kitten's microchip number before you buy them. You can then verify the microchip number against their breed and date of birth using the NSW Pet Registry buyer's search.

If you receive a pet that is not microchipped, your local vet will be able to assist with microchipping.

When should a pet be microchipped

All cats and dogs must be microchipped before being sold or given away, or by 12 weeks of age.

The owner’s details at the time of microchipping must be recorded by a vet or authorised identifier. These details can only be updated by a transfer of ownership. A breeder is responsible for completing all necessary steps to transfer ownership of a microchipped pet to a new owner.

Owners of non-desexed cats over 4 months of age must pay an annual permit. Owners of non-desexed dogs over 6 months of age must pay a once-only additional fee. New owners of non-desexed cats that need an annual permit have a 2-month grace period to pay the permit. This window starts from when ownership was transferred to you on the NSW Pet Registry.

Once your pet is desexed, your vet can update the desexing status on the NSW Pet Registry. Cat owners are no longer required to pay an annual permit fee once they have their cats desexed.

If vets recommend you delay desexing for medical reasons, or avoid it entirely, they can also record this on the NSW Pet Registry. They may, alternatively, give you a certificate declaring a temporary or permanent desexing exemption. They must do this prior to your pet reaching the recommended desexing age (6 months for dogs, 4 months for cats).

If you are submitting a temporary or permanent desexing exemption at Council, make sure the vet has supplied the following information on the certificate:

• the vet clinic letterhead with name and contact details
• the treating vet’s name and V-number (their registration number to practice as a vet)
• the date the desexing consultation took place
• your pet’s microchip number
• your name and address
• the medical reason for the exemption
• for temporary exemptions, the pet’s date of birth and the age recommended for desexing.

More information can be found at: https://www.petregistry.olg.nsw.gov.au/owners/desex-a-pet