The next stage of the amendments to the Companion Animals Act 1998 has now commenced, including implementation details for the Register of Companion Animals.
Part 9 of the Act now sets out the details that are required to be kept for registered companion animals. It also provides for the access to the Register which will be allowed for the public, veterinarians, local authorities and other relevant agencies. The register will be available via the NSW Pet Registry website.
Public access is already available via the NSW Pet Registry and access for government departments, local authorities and vets is through the old NSW Companion Animals Register, which will be phased out by the end of 2018. Thereafter, access for government departments, local authorities and vets will also be via the new Register of Companion Animals, through the NSW Pet Registry site.
The By Lawyers commentary on companion animals, located in our Neighbourhood Disputes NSW publication, has been updated accordingly.