Registering & Microchipping

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.

Free Microchipping Days

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 with their NSW local council by six months of age.

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 the registration form. This registration process requires a fee.

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 to claim the reduced registration fee. 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 Credit Card Authorisation form and emailed to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. with the relevant paperwork to claim the reduce fee. 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 2023-2024 registration and permit fees effective from 1 July 2023 for a cat or dog anywhere in NSW are prescribed below:

Change of address or animal details

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. 

Lost animals

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 groups on Facebook and call the Hawkesbury Companion Animal Shelter on 4560 4644.

The Hawkesbury Companion Animal Shelter takes a list of all the pets found in the Penrith and Hawkesbury LGAs, and will do their best to assist you in locating your pet.