On 1 July 2020, the NSW Government introduced annual permits for non-desexed cats and restricted and dangerous dogs as part of its commitment to promoting responsible pet ownership and improving animal welfare standards.
Increasing the overall cat desexing rates will improve the health and wellbeing of cats. It will also ease the burden on pounds and shelters, reduce euthanasia rates, and help to address concerns about feral, stray and roaming cats and their effect on wildlife.
From 1 July 2021 owners of cats not desexed by four months of age are required to pay an $81 annual permit in addition to their one-off Lifetime Registration Fee.
Exemptions are in place for those kept for breeding purposes by members of recognised breeding bodies, and cats which cannot be desexed for medical reasons. There are no pensioner discounts or rebates available for annual permits for non-desexed cats.
Owners of dogs of a Restricted Breed or formally declared to be Dangerous are also required to pay a $197 Annual Permit in addition to their one-off lifetime pet Registration Fee.
Pet owners can pay for annual permits using the NSW Pet Registry website or through their local Council.
Annual permit fees will go directly to the Companion Animals Fund, which pays for companion animal management by local Councils including pounds/shelters, ranger services, dog recreation areas, and education and awareness programs.
The fund is also used to operate the NSW Pet Registry and carry out responsible pet ownership initiatives.
To find out more about how to register your pet, visit our Registration and Microchipping page.
Late Fees
Should the permit fees not be paid within 28 days after the due date, a late fee of $18 will apply.
Annual Permit Costs as at 1 July 2021
| Permit Type |
Permit Description |
Permit Fee |
Permit Fee
(including $18 Late Fee) |
| Cat - Not Desexed Cat |
Cat not desexed by 4 months of age |
$80 |
$99 |
| Dangerous Dogs |
Dog declared to be dangerous |
$197 |
$215 |
| Restricted Dogs |
Dog declared to be restricted breed or restricted by birth |
$197 |
$215 |
| Permit Late Fee |
Payable if the permit fee has not been paid 28 days after the date on which a permit was required to own the companion animal |
Dog/Cat |
$18 |
Above fees as published by the NSW Government at time of publication.
These permit costs are in addition to the one-off Lifetime Pet Registration fee.
To register your animal, visit the NSW Pet Registry website.
A list of registration categories, current fees for 2021/2022 are provided on the Office of Local Government’s (OLG) website. To view, click on “Registration Fees” under the heading “Key Information” at the bottom of the page.
*Please ensure evidence of desexing and approved breeder status are provided to Council for the required permit types.
Find more information on the Office of Local Government's Annual Permits page.
How to Pay for an Annual Permit
You can apply and pay for an annual permit in the following ways:
- Online through the NSW Pet Registry
- By Email - Send the Lifetime Registration form or annual permit form along with payment by completing the credit card authorisation form to cityofryde@ryde.nsw.gov.au. You can download a copy of these forms or call Council on 9952 8222 to post you out a copy.
- In Person - At City of Ryde Customer Service Centre located at 1 Pope Street, Ryde. See opening hours.
- By Post - Send the Lifetime Registration form with payment in by cheque, money order or completed credit card authorisation form to:
The General Manager
City of Ryde
Locked Bag 2069
NORTH RYDE NSW 1670
Office of Local Government flyers