Being a responsible dog owner is easy. There are six things you can do to be a responsible pet owner:

• Make sure your dog can be identified with a collar, tag and microchip
• Make sure your dog is registered with Council so it can be identified if it becomes lost
• Keep your dog in your yard
• Consider desexing your pet
• Always keep your dog on a leash in public unless in a off leash area
• Clean up after your pet.

 How to be a responsible dog owner (629kb).

Registration

All dogs must be lifetime registered by the time they are six months old. The costs of lifetime registration are:

• Desexed animal (owned by a pensioner) $15.00
• Desexed animal (except one owned by pensioner) $40.00
• For animal not desexed and owned by registered breeder $40.00
• For an animal not desexed $150.00

You may lifetime register your dog at any Council in NSW. You may also register your dog at our local pound, the RSPCA .

Benefits of registration

Registration clearly identify the dog as yours. If your pet becomes lost, Council will be able to notify you of your dog's whereabouts.

• Registration fees are used to provide services such as:
• Straying dogs
• Dog attacks
• Public education about responsible pet ownership
• Maintenance of leash free areas
• Community microchipping days
• Poo bins.

Microchipping

All puppies must be permanently identified with a  microchip (269 kb), either by

• 12 weeks of age;  
• or point of sale;
• Or change of ownership, which ever occurs first.

If you are giving away your dog or puppy you MUST have it microchipped first.

It is the responsibility of the owner to transfer the microchip and dog into the new owner's name.

It is important to remember that microchipping does not take the place of council registration - you must still register your pet at six months of age.

Identification

It is a legal requirement to have separate identification on your dog that clearly states name, address and/or telephone numbers.

Desexing

All owners are encouraged to desex their animals. The cost of registration is less for desexed animals and further discounts are available for desexed animals owned by a pensioner.

• Early desexing also eliminates the risk of serious diseases including reproductive cancers
• Desexed dogs grow up cleaner, healthier, quieter and more home loving
• Desexed dogs will not become fat unless they are overfed and under exercised
• Desexed dogs are much less aggressive than entire dogs and make much safer family pets particularly for those families with young children.

Thousands of unwanted puppies and dogs are destroyed by animal welfare agencies each year because there are simply not enough homes for them.

Hunter Animal Watch is a voluntary organisation that aims to reduce the number of unwanted cats and dogs in the Hunter by offering financial assistance to people on low incomes to desex their animals. For further information contact 4966 4344 between 10am and 3pm (Mondays only).

What to do if you sell or give away your dog

It is the responsibility of the 'old' owner (the person selling or giving away the animal) to notify the change.  Change of ownership (144 kb) needs to be signed by the 'old' owner as well as the new owner. Failure to notify council of the change may result in fines.

If you are an owner of a restricted or dangerous dog please contact Council on 4974 2545.

What to do if I move address or change my details

Pet owners should make sure that their contact information listed on the NSW Companion Animals Register is always up to date and current – if your pet goes missing, you can’t be contacted if your information is out of date.

So notify Council of your  change of details (404.3 kb) within 14 days.

Out and about

Do you love to take your pooch out and about? Did you know dogs are now allowed in kerbside outdoor dining areas.

Your dog can join you if they

• are on a lead
• stay on the ground
• are not fed
• have the restaurant owner's permission.

Download the  dogs breakfast information flyer (1003.9kb).

There are also plenty of leash free areas in Newcastle.

Further Information

Department of Local Government  frequency asked questions (185.3 kb) brochure is available if you require any further information or alternatively contact your local Council.