As a dog owner you are responsible for the care, welfare and behaviour of your pet. This includes ensuring your dog does not negatively impact your neighbours by barking, harassing or roaming.

In NSW, all dogs must be microchipped by 12 weeks of age and registered on the NSW Pet Registry by six months of age.

Council highly recommends all dogs are desexed by six months of age which entitles you to a reduced lifetime registration fee. Desexing your pet helps by reducing unwanted litters and the risk of health and behavioural problems. Desexing can be done by your local vet.

Under the Companion Animals Act, all dog owners must comply with the following requirements:

• A dog must wear a collar at all times with an ID tag attached showing its name and the owners details.

• Take all precautions to prevent the dog from escaping from the property on which it is being kept.

• A dog that is in a public place must be on leash and under effective control of a competent person (unless in a designated off-leash area).

• If your dog defecates in a public place, you must remove and dispose of it in a bin.

• A dog must not be allowed to rush at, chase, harass or attack any person or animal (See Dog Attacks for further information).

 
Dogs are prohibited in the following areas:

• Any area set apart for the protection of wildlife (See Wildlife Protection Areas for further information).

• Childcare centres.

• Public bathing areas where dogs are prohibited by notice.

• Recreation areas where dogs are prohibited.

• Shopping arcades and complexes, including parking area.

• School grounds.

• Within 10 metres of playgrounds and play equipment.

• Within 10 metres of food outlets, except if the place is in a public thoroughfare.

As a cat owner you are responsible for the care, welfare and behaviour of your pet. This includes ensuring your cat does not negatively impact your neighbours by roaming, damaging property or causing a noise disturbance.

In NSW, all cats must be microchipped by 12 weeks of age and registered on the NSW Pet Registry by six months of age.

Council highly recommends all cats are desexed by 4 months of age which entitles you to a reduced lifetime registration fee. Desexing your pet helps by reducing unwanted litters and the risk of health and behavioural problems. Desexing can be done by your local vet.

From 1 July 2020, owners of cats not desexed by four months of age are now required to pay an annual permit in addition to their one-off lifetime pet registration fee. (See Annual animal permits for further information).

As a cat owner, Council recommends the following information:

• All cats are encouraged to wear a collar with a name tag and bell.

• Cats should not be permitted to roam and contained to their residence to reduce nuisance behaviour and protect native wildlife.
   

Cats are prohibited in the following areas:

• Food preparation/consumption areas.

• Any area set apart for the protection of wildlife (See Wildlife Protection Areas for further information).
   

The RSPCA has a program titled Keeping Your Cat Safe and Happy At Home. This brochure provides sensible and positive strategies to support cat owners in preventing their cats from roaming and helping to minimise their impact on native wildlife.

The Good Neighbour Project run by the Cat Protection Society of NSW provides information on improving cat welfare and wellbeing as well as minimising the impact of cats on the local community.

Failure to comply with the ownership responsibilities outlined in the Companion Animal Act 1998 may result in penalties and fines being issued to the dog or cat owner.

Listed below are some examples of common offences and the penalties under the Companion Animal Act 1998 and Companion Animals Regulation 2008 as at 1 July 2023.

• Animal not registered - $305.00 minimum.

• Animal not microchipped - $180.00 minimum.

• Dog without a collar and name tag - $180.00 minimum.

• Dog not on a leash in public place - $330.00 minimum.

• Fail to prevent dog escaping property - $220.00 minimum.

• Dog in prohibited place - $330.00 minimum.

• Fail to remove dog faeces - $275.00 minimum.

• Dog attack - $1,320.00 minimum.