Can my cat or dog lose its exemption to be microchipped and lifetime registered?
There are a number of animals which may be permanently exempt from microchipping and registration requirements. However, if there is a breach of the Act, this exemption will be lost. Dogs which were registered under the Dog Act at 1 July 1999 have up to 3 years to change over to the new registration system. However, if the annual registration is not renewed on time, or you move to another council area, you must microchip and lifetime register. (Under the old Dog Act registration was with your local council only; if you move to another council area this is a new registration and all new registrations are under the Companion Animals Act.) Any dog which has been declared dangerous (including working dogs) must be microchipped and lifetime registered under the new Act. Similarly any dog or cat which is subject to a nuisance order must be registered under the new Act. If a person is convicted of an offence or pays a penalty notice under the Companion Animals Act then any exemption which may
