Effective July 1, 2024, significant updates to pet ownership regulations in NSW, particularly impactful in the Snowy Monaro region, aim to bolster pet management efficiency and facilitate quicker reunification of lost animals with their owners.
Key amendments mandate that all cats and dogs in NSW must be microchipped by 12 weeks of age or before being sold or given away, whichever comes first. Additionally, pet owners must register their animals on the NSW Pet Registry by 12 weeks of age, or upon acquisition if younger than 12 weeks. This registration incurs a one-time lifetime fee per animal, transferrable with changes in ownership, with a 28-day window to avoid late fees.
The updates also introduce supplementary charges for non-desexed animals: dog owners face an additional fee if their pet remains undesexed past six months, while for cats, an annual permit fee applies if not desexed by four months, excluding those born before July 22, 2020.
To streamline compliance, pet owners are encouraged to create an account on the NSW Pet Registry website. This platform facilitates fee payments, pet detail updates, and reporting of lost pets, ensuring prompt updates in case of ownership changes or address updates.
Local councils stress the importance of familiarizing oneself with these new regulations and promptly registering on the online NSW Pet Registry to uphold pet safety and compliance.
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