Change of Pet Ownership

If you sell or give away your dog or cat, you must transfer official ownership of the pet to the new owner within 14 days.

It is the responsibility of the former owner to update the animal's ownership details.

Online

Step 1.Register or Log in

Register or log in to the NSW Pet Registry. 

NSW Pet Registry 

Step 2.Change Pet Ownership

After accessing the NSW Pet Registry, click on ‘Transfer a pet’ on the transfers page.  Select the pet from the dropdown that you wish to transfer.

Enter the new owner’s email address (this must be the address they used to create their NSW Pet Registry profile) and confirm the transfer.

If the new owner does not have a NSW Pet Registry profile, use your profile to send them an invitation to create one.

In Person

Step 1.Prepare Documents

In order for Council to change the ownership details for your pet, you must complete a change of owner from.  The form requires both the former owner and new owner’s signature.

Change of owner form

Step 2.Visit Us

Visit our Customer Service team at 22 Alexandra Street Hunters Hill, between 8:30am and 4:30pm Monday to Friday.  Council will update the pets ownership details on the NSW Pet Registry and provide you with an updated certificate.

If you can longer keep your pet and cannot find someone to take them you will need to contact an animal welfare organisation such as RSPCA.

Alternatively, you can contact Blacktown Animal Rehoming Centre on 02 9839 6161 or email BARCadmin@blacktown.nsw.gov.au. Fees and charges will be applicable for surrendering an animal.

If you have adopted an animal and haven't been provided with microchip details or can't obtain a signature from the previous owner you can:

  1. visit a vet to obtain a verification of existing microchip certificate
  2. complete a statutory declaration about how you obtained the pet and why you can't contact the previous owner
  3. complete a change of owner form, leaving the old owners section blank
  4. email all documents to info@huntershill.nsw.gov.au.