Dogs and Cats

Cat and dog snuggling in the grass

Overview

Under the NSW Companion Animals Act 1998, all cat and dog owners must take two simple steps to register pets: microchipping and lifetime registration. 

Customers can pay their pet's registration at Council or online, or visit the NSW Pet Registry. You can update your details and create an online profile for the following:

  • Change address, phone number or email address
  • Transfer ownership of a pet
  • Report a pet as missing
  • Report a pet as deceased
  • Pay online lifetime registration fees

To register online via the NSW Pet Registry website www.petregistry.nsw.gov.au you must create a profile.

Please note: If your pet desexing details have not been uploaded to this register, please forward your desexing certificate, drivers licence, pension card (if applicable) to mail@fairfieldcity.nsw.gov.au. This documentation must be provided prior to registration payment being processed online.

Registration can be paid:

  • In person at Fairfield Council
  • At any Fairfield Council Library
  • Phone payment via credit card (a 0.75% surcharge applies for Visa or MasterCard). Please email the completed Lifetime Registration form and supporting documents to mail@fairfieldcity.nsw.gov.au  providing a contact number. A Customer Service Officer will then contact you to arrange payment.
  • Service NSW
  • Animal Welfare League NSW
  • Cat Protection Society

If you are unable to register your pet on the NSW Pet Registry website or wish to make a phone payment please contact Council’s Customer Service team on 9725 0222 for further assistance.

Desexing

Desexing can be done by your local vet.

Discounted programs available through:

From 1 July 2020, the NSW Government is introducing annual permits for owners of non-desexed cats ($80) and restricted and dangerous dogs ($195). 

If you require any further information on annual permits, please contact the NSW Pet Registry at pets@olg.nsw.gov.au or 1300 134 460.

Is your pet lost, hurt or stolen?

If your pet disappears you have a much greater chance of its return if it is microchipped and registered. If your pet is found and is microchipped, our Rangers will contact you and deliver your pet home. If you cannot be contacted for any reason, your pet will be impounded and taken to the Sydney Dogs and Cats Home in Carlton.

If your dog or cat is missing contact Council on 9725 0222 to check whether it has been impounded or call the Sydney Dogs and Cats Home on 9587 9611. You should also contact your local vet to see whether your pet has been handed in.

What should you do if you find a dog?

  • Check for an identification tag. If the animal is wearing a name tag, phone the owner; or
  • Take it to your local vet; or
  • Contact Council to have the animal collected and scanned to see whether it has a microchip
  • Ask around the neighbourhood to see if anyone has lost their dog
  • You may also take the animal to the pound at Sydney Dogs and Cats Home
  • If you can’t find the owner within a reasonable amount of time, you are required by law to contact Council or take the animal to the pound. Keep in mind that people who have lost their animal will check the pound. Failure to do so can incur a fine.


Responsible Pet Ownership

The Companion Animals Act sets out the responsibilities for dog and cat owners. 

Council has been given the power to enforce the law, including dealing with dangerous and restricted dogs.

Council has adopted a Companion Animal Management Plan 2015-2020.

You must ensure your animal is permanently identified by microchip and lifetime registered. Microchipping and registration of cats is a legal requirement under the NSW Companion Animal Act.

Please visit the NSW Office of Local Government for more information. 

Operation Cat

Occurs every year in May and September by the Cat Protection Society and Council.  It is to help Fairfield City residents on lower incomes, or those without transport, to get their cat/s desexed and microchipped at an affordable price.

Click here for Dog Off-Leash Areas

NSW Companion Animals Act, Forms & Brochures

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