FROM July 1, the NSW Government is introducing annual permits for owners of non-desexed cats, restricted dog breeds, and dogs declared to be dangerous.
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These changes will require the owners of cats not desexed by four months of age to pay an $80 annual permit in addition to their one-off lifetime pet registration fee.
Owners of dogs of a restricted breed or formally declared to be dangerous will be required to pay a $195 annual permit in addition to their one-off lifetime pet registration fee.
The owners of pets in these categories can pay for annual permits via the NSW Pet Registry website https://www.petregistry.nsw.gov.au/#/. Alternatively, payment can be made at Nambucca Valley Council's Administration Centre.
Annual permit fees will go directly to the NSW Government's Companion Animals Fund.
The aim of the permits is to create a stronger incentive to desex cats and help to address community concerns about feral, stray, and roaming cats and their effect on wildlife.
In the case of dangerous and restricted dogs the aim is to improve community safety by helping to reduce ownership of high-risk dogs and encouraging owners to better manage the behaviour of their pet.
Restricted dog breeds are the pit bull terrier, American pit bull terrier, Japanese tosa, Argentinian fighting dog, Brazilian fighting dog, and canary mastiff. A dog can also be declared to be one of, or a cross-breed of, one of these restricted breeds.
Dogs of any breed can be formally declared dangerous if the dog, without provocation, has attacked or killed a person or animal, repeatedly threatened to attack or repeatedly chased a person or animal or is kept or used for hunting.
To avoid the need for an annual permit desex your cat by four months of age, register your cat before July 1, don't own a restricted dog, manage your dog's behaviour to ensure that it's not declared dangerous and if you are a breeder, join a recognised cat breeding body.
Cats that cannot be desexed, either temporarily or permanently, are exempt from paying an annual permit. A certificate from your vet is required to qualify for this exemption.
Pet owners who fail to obtain an annual permit risk an on-the-spot fine of $700 for restricted or dangerous dogs and $400 for non-desexed cats. If taken to court, maximum penalties of $6600 for restricted or dangerous dogs and $5500 for non-desexed cats may apply.
For inquiries, call the manager Development and Environment, Daniel Walsh, on 6568-0259 or 0428 716-633.
