Minister for Local Government Paul Toole launched the NSW Pet Registry at the Dog Lovers Show, delivering an election commitment to simplify registration and ensure lost pets are reunited with their owners as quickly as possible.
Mr Toole said the NSW Pet Registry replaces the old paper-based system and provides a simpler process to register cats and dogs, update contact details, report missing pets, transfer ownership and pay most lifetime-registration fees from a computer or mobile device.
“Pet owners across the state will go online to create a profile and make changes to their own records so they can keep their contact details updated,” Mr Toole said.
“Current contact details will make it easier for lost, injured or stolen pets to be returned home as quickly as possible.”
Pet owners will need their pet’s microchip number and a valid form of identification. Microchip numbers are available from local councils or vets.
The Dog Lovers Show is a festival of dog-related entertainment, education and information with visitor numbers expected to be in excess of 20,000.
The online registry will also make it easier for breeders to register their litters. Breeders will create a profile and will receive a breeder ID number to add multiple animals to the register when they are micro-chipped.
It is 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.
During 2015/16, the most popular dog name added to the register was Bella, the most popular cat name was Charlie, and the most popular purebreed dog was the Staffordshire bull terrier, followed by the Labrador and the Border collie.
For more information, please visit: www.petregistry.nsw.gov.au
