Registering & Microchipping

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Penrith City Council (02) 4732 7777 (02) 4732 7958 council@penrithcity.nsw.gov.au 601 High St Penrith NSW 2750 Australia
Registering & Microchipping

Microchipping your dogs and cats keeps them safe and means you can be reunited much quicker if your pet is lost or stolen.

What is microchipping?

Microchipping is a quick, safe and simple procedure and is a permanent method of electronic identification. The chip is very small, about the size of a grain of rice, and is implanted under the skin between the shoulder blades at the back of your pet’s neck.

How does microchipping work?

Each microchip has a unique number that can be read with a scanner, like how a barcode is read at the supermarket. No personal information is stored on the microchip – only the unique identification number. The owner’s information is stored on the NSW Companion Animal Register where only authorised agents can access the information. It’s important that you keep the details on the microchip up to date so you can be identified as your cat or dog’s owner.

When should my dog or cat be microchipped?

NSW dog and cat owners are required to have their animals microchipped by 12 weeks of age, at point of sale, or change of ownership, whichever occurs first.

Does the microchip require any updates?

You will need to update the microchip details if you change:

  • Address, including state
  • Telephone numbers
  • Ownership

You can update your pet’s details at the NSW Pet Registry or over the counter at your local council. The NSW Pet Registry enables lost pets to be reunited with their owners.

The register allows cat and dog owners to:

  • Create an owner profile.
  • Update their contact details.
  • Transfer ownership of pets.
  • Report their pet as missing.
  • Pay most lifetime registration fees online.

Penalties apply for non-compliance.

Council hosts a free microchipping day for Penrith residents to bring their cats and dogs to be microchipped. Council’s friendly Animal Services team is joined by local organisations who specialise in pet care, and who attend the day to answer any pet-related health and care questions.

Keep up to date with microchipping information by following Council’s Facebook Page and checking out Council’s What’s On page for any animal-related events.

Lifetime Registration

Once you’ve microchipped your pet, it’s important to register them for Lifetime Registration. NSW cat and dog owners are required to have their animals registered on the NSW Pet Registry either by 12 weeks of age or immediately upon first transfer/sale (whichever happens first). Fees to register a cat or dog vary and additional fees apply if you don’t desex dogs by 6 months of age. You must pay an annual permit fee if you don’t desex cats by 4 months of age (cats born before 22 July 2020 are exempt).

Each state has its own registration database. If you move interstate you will be required to register your pets with that state’s registration.

How do I register my pet?

You can register your pet via NSW Pet Registry. If you don't have a MyServiceNSW Account, you will need to create one before you can access the Pet Registry. Once registered, using the details on your NSW Pet Registry profile, you can confirm ownership of your pet or pay any relevant fees.

You must provide:

  • A microchip number, a certificate of identification or verification of microchip.
  • A desexing certificate, if applicable. A vet certificate is preferred, or a statutory declaration signed and witnessed by a Justice of the Peace.
  • Additional information will be required for registered breeders, working dogs and assistance animals. Please contact Council for more information.

Where can I register?

Payment can be made in person at any Council in NSW, including at Penrith Council’s customer service centre at Penrith or St Marys Library.

Payments made by mail to Council must include relevant paperwork. If posting, payment must be made by cheque or money order made payable to Penrith City Council and returned to PO Box 60 Penrith NSW 2751. Council will process your payment and post you a Certificate of Registration.

Payment can also be processed at Council by completing the registration form and Credit Card Authorisation form and emailed to with the relevant paperwork. Council will process your payment and post you a Certificate of Registration.

Payment can also be made online via the NSW Pet Registry 

Why register?

It’s required by law to register your pets. Registering protects pets, owners, and the community. It increases the chances of your pet being returned to you safely if they get lost.

The penalty for failure to comply with the act is $305.

How much does it cost?

The fees for lifetime registration change each financial year. The 2024-2025 registration and permit fees effective from 1 July 2024 for a dog or cat anywhere in NSW are prescribed below:

Registration Category 2024-2025  
Dog – Registration fee (by 12 weeks or when sold if earlier than 12 weeks) $78
Dog – Additional Fee (dog not desexed by 6 months) $184
Dog – Registration Combined fees (for not desexing dog by 6 months) $262
Dog – Registration (eligible pensioner, pensioner card required) $34
Dog – Desexed (sold/transferred from pound/shelter or approved rehoming organisation) $0
Dog – Registration (not recommended, letter from vet required) $78
Dog – Registration (eligible pensioner, not recommended, letter from vet required) $34
Dog – Registration (recognised breeder, supporting paperwork required)  $78
Dog – Working (supporting paperwork required) $0
Dog – Service of the State $0
Assistance Animal (supporting paperwork required) $0
Cat – Registration fee (by 12 weeks or when sold if earlier than 12 weeks) $68
Cat – Registration (eligible pensioner, pensioner card required) $34
Cat – Desexed (sold/transferred from pound/shelter or approved rehoming organisation) $0
Cat – Registration (not recommended, letter from vet required) $68
Cat – Registration (eligible pensioner, not recommended, letter from vet required) $34
Cat – Registration (recognised breeder, supporting paperwork required) $68
Registration late fee $22
Annual permit category 2024-2025  
Cat (not desexed by four months of age) $96
Dangerous dog $230
Restricted dog $230
Permit late fee $22

You need to advise of any registration changes. Penalties apply for non-compliance.

You will need to update your registration if you change one of the following:

  • Address, including state
  • Telephone numbers
  • Ownership change
  • Animal death or missing

Visit the NSW Office of Local Government website for details and forms. 

Penrith City Council uses two animal shelters for lost and found dogs and cats, Hawkesbury Companion Animal Shelter and Blue Mountains Animal Care Centre.

If you have lost or found a pet, please make sure you contact local vets immediately for assistance in finding the owner.

You can also look up local social media community groups on Facebook and call the Hawkesbury Companion Animal Shelter on (02) 4560 4644 or the Blue Mountains Animal Care Centre on (02) 4780 5791. Penrith City Council and both of these animal shelters will do their best to assist you in locating your pet.

You can follow the Hawkesbury Companion Animal Shelter and the Blue Mountains Animal Care Centre on Facebook to receive regular updates.