NSW Pet Ownership Rules Change 1st July 2020

As a pet-parent, you most likely know that all NSW dogs and cats currently have to be microchipped by 12 weeks of age and registered on the NSW Pet Registry.

1st July Changes to Companion Animal Legislation

From 1st July 2020, owners of restricted dog breeds and dogs declared dangerous will be charged an additional $195.00 annual permit fee by the NSW Government, over and above the once-off lifetime registration fee.

The owners of cats that are not desexed by four (4) months of age will also be charged an additional annual permit fee, currently $80.00, on top of the once-off lifetime registration fee.

For more information see Sutherland Shire Council Companion Animal Legislation

Changes to Cronulla Vet Clinic’s Desexing Advice

This means there will be some changes to Cronulla Vet Clinic’s desexing advice.

Our routine kitten vaccination schedule is:
1st kitten vaccination F3 core vaccination to be given at 6-8 weeks of age.
2nd kitten vaccination F3 core vaccination to be given at 12 weeks of age.
3rd kitten vaccination F3 core vaccination to be given at 16 weeks of age (or four months), followed by a booster one year later.

Previously we recommended desexing after the 3rd kitten vaccination but, given the new legislation, you as the pet owner would be penalised with a yearly permit fee for the life of your cat!

Going forward, desexing should be booked between the 2nd and 3rd vaccinations. This gives kitty’s immune system the best chance of building up an immune response to protect her while dotting the I’s and crossing the T’s when it comes to the new legislation.

Selling or Giving Away a Dog or a Cat in NSW

A reminder that there are also new regulations around selling or giving away a dog or cat in NSW, which have commenced on 1st July 2019.

If you plan to sell or give away a dog or cat, an identification number for the pet should be included on all advertising (including posters, social media sites, online sales sites such as Gumtree and newspapers). This identification number can be a microchip number, a breeder identification number or a re-homing organisation number.

This allows the prospective new owners to find information on the pet on the NSW Registry Website, via the “Buyer Search” button. They can verify the breed, age, gender, desexing status, registration status and if an annual permit fee is in place for the advertised pet.

Please make sure that ownership of the pup, kitten, dog or cat is transferred to the new “parent” a.s.a.p.

For any veterinary queries regarding your new pet, please don’t hesitate to contact our friendly team at Cronulla Vet Clinic on 9527 2604 or book in for a health check.