Cats are the second most owned pets in Australia and perhaps man's second-best friend, after dogs. Generally, cats have become a big part of Australian households. In fact, many families admit that cats are easier to manage than their canine counterparts. Therefore, if you have been thinking about getting a cat for a pet, go right ahead since you will not regret the decision. That said, owning a cat is not just a matter of getting it from a breeder or a shelter and bringing it back home. First, you must familiarise yourself with specific legal issues to understand your responsibilities as a pet parent. Read on for insight.

Registration 

Failure to register your cat is probably one of the greatest mistakes you can make as a pet owner. Local laws in NSW require that cat owners register their pets with the NSW Pet Registry on reaching six months old. Fortunately, the registration is valid for the pet's lifetime. Besides, a new pet owner does not need to re-register after a change of ownership. Notably, you will need several things when registering your cat, including a MyServiceNSW account, driver license/passport/Medicare card, pet's microchip ID number and your credit card. The best part about registering a cat is that you can complete the whole process online.

Microchipping 

Another legal requirement you must abide by when getting a cat pet is micro-chipping the pet. Ideally, the microchip is a grain-sized subcutaneous electronic radio transponder that stores a cat's unique identification number. The device is implanted under a cat's skin between its shoulders, and the process is harmless. Failure to microchip your cat attracts a hefty fine by the local council or court. You can get into serious trouble should your cat cause harm, and it becomes clear that you had not micro-chipped it. Most importantly, all pet cats must be microchipped before reaching 12 weeks, unless exempt.

Change of Ownership 

Pets ownership changes are standard, and they happen for many reasons. For instance, you might want to give away your cat if you have a newborn allergic to cat fur. Similarly, cat ownership can change when the parent wants to relocate to another country or state. Notably, the law indicates that you can only transfer a cat that has been micro-chipped and sterilised. Moreover, you must notify the local council and microchip database company about a looming change of ownership. It allows both agencies to update their database with the new owner's name, address and other critical information.

Reach out to a local lawyer if you have more questions about pet laws.