Animals and Pets

In NSW it is the law that dog and cat owners both microchip and lifetime register pets. Cats and dogs should be registered by six months of age.

To register your cat or dog online, please ensure that:

• your cat or dog is microchipped
• your cat is desexed
• your dog is not menacing, dangerous or a restricted breed
• you are over 18 years old. We cannot allow minors to register a pet.

Register your pet online

Registration fees are valid for the lifetime of each pet and penalties apply if you choose not to microchip and register your pet.

If your dog is an assistance animal you're not required to pay a registration fee, but you will need to register your animal through Council.

Microchipping your pet

Your local vet or an authorised identifier can microchip your pet. The microchip contains a unique number which will identify your pet should they become lost or stolen. Your animal’s microchip is activated once the identification number is provided to the NSW Pet Registry by your vet or authorised identifier.

NSW Department of Primary Industries (NSW DPI) is responsible for ensuring that policy and legislative frameworks in NSW support good animal welfare outcomes.

For up-to-date information and resources on animal welfare please refer to the NSW Department of Primary Industries and the RSPCA. 

You can report concerns for the welfare of an animal in NSW to:

RSPCA NSW

Animal Welfare League NSW

Calling the Police Assistance Line on 131 444

Find an Off-leash Area

There are five off-leash areas across Burwood Council. We clearly signpost off-leash areas, and provide dog litter bag dispensers at all off-leash parks to aid owners to clean-up after their pets.

• Burwood Park: Near the Gardeners Shed - 6am to 8am
• Grant Park: Old Enfield Bowling Club - 6am to 9pm
• Henley Park: Marked area at eastern most end of Henley Park between Short and Mitchell Streets - available all hours except when organised sporting events are taking place
• Blair Park: Blair Avenue - 3pm to 10am
• Sanders Reserve: corner of Oxford Street and Norwood Street - available all hours 

View a map of off-leash areas

Regular off-leash exercise in designated parks helps dogs socialise, relieve boredom and release built-up energy. It can also help reduce unwanted behavior such as excessive barking.

Rules in Dog Off-Leash Areas

Dogs must only be exercised off-leash in designated areas and must always remain under the control of a responsible person. 

Dogs are not allowed off-leash on sports fields during organised events or in surrounding parks and reserves. Penalties may apply under relevant NSW legislation.

You must:

• Keep your dog under effective control at all times.
• Prevent your dog from approaching unknown dogs without permission.
• Remove your dog if it becomes anxious, aggressive, or disruptive.
• Clean up after your dog and dispose of waste properly.
• Put your dog back on a leash when leaving the areaKeep dogs at least 10 metres away from playgrounds and food areasFollow all signs and Council directions.
• Failure to comply with notices displayed at Council ovals, parks and reserves is an offence under Section 632 of the Local Government Act 1993.
• Penalties apply under the Companion Animals Act 1998.
  
  

Dog Park Etiquette

To ensure all pets and people enjoy the parks safely please follow a few dog park etiquette listed below.

• Leash your dog before entering and leaving the off-leash area.
• Carry waste bags at all times.
• Ensure your dog is vaccinated.
• Train your dog to respond to basic recall commands.
• Supervise your dog at all times.
• Leave if your dog is not getting along with others.
• Encourage calm behaviour, such as sitting when greeting people.
• Be aware of your dog’s behaviour and comfort level.

Understanding Dog Behaviour

Not all dogs enjoy off-leash parks. Signs of discomfort may include:

• Tail tucked between legs
• Cowering or rolling onto their back
• Head lowered

Signs of stress or threat may include:

• Growling or showing teeth
• Stiff body posture
• Standing rigid or tail raised

If your dog seems uncomfortable or the park is too crowded, it is best to leave and continue exercise on-leash in a quieter area.

You can increase the chances of finding a missing pet by creating a profile on the NSW Pet Registry website.

By registering your pet’s microchip number, creating a profile and agreeing to be contacted, you can allow anyone who finds your cat or dog to let you know by sending you a secure message online.

Barking Dogs

Dogs bark for many reasons, such as hunger, boredom, illness, loneliness, or being provoked. While barking is normal, excessive barking can disturb neighbours and lead to complaints.

Barking dog issues can be sensitive and may lead to neighbour disputes. Council usually takes an educational approach first by informing the dog owner and giving them an opportunity to resolve the problem.

How Council Handles Barking Complaints

Council will only investigate when barking is ongoing and considered excessive.

To assess a complaint, Council may collect evidence such as:

• Barking diaries from complainants
• Observations from Council officers
• Video or audio recordings
• Information from other nearby residents

Complainants are usually asked to keep a diary recording:

• When the barking occurs
• How long it lasts
• Where they were when they heard it

Having multiple people provide records can help give a clearer and more balanced picture.

When Council Takes Formal Action

Council may take formal action when:

• The barking is proven to be excessive
• The dog owner has had time to address the issue
• The problem continues despite Council involvement

If this occurs, Council may issue a Nuisance Dog Order. This decision is based on collected evidence, including written statements from complainants.

Legal Process and Court

If a Nuisance Dog Order is breached, Council may begin legal action.

Please note:

• Complainants may be required to attend court
• The dog owner will become aware of who made the complaint
• Legal processes can take time
• Council may not proceed if complainants are unwilling to provide evidence

Privacy and Complaints

Council does not normally share your details with others. However:

• Information may be requested under government access laws
• Your identity may be revealed if the matter goes to court

Making a Complaint

The dog owner may not realise their dog is barking, especially if they are not home.

Council can assist with complaints, but you must provide evidence that the barking is excessive.

You will need to record:

• When the dog barks
• How long the barking lasts
• Where you were when you heard it

For more information, contact Council 02 9911 9911

Unlike dogs, cats are allowed to roam freely in Burwood Council.

Council will only remove a cat if it is assessed by a Council Community Safety Officer as feral.

When dealing with stray cats in your area:

• Do not feed the cat, as you will encourage the cat to return.
• Minimise access to spaces under your house where cats can breed and seal access areas. 
• If you are sure the cat is feral, and you have not encouraged the cat to return, you can trap the cat at your own expense. Once the cat has been caught, make a phone call to Council. Council's Community Safety Officers will attend to assess the cat. If the cat is determined feral, Council will remove it. If Council's Officer assesses the animal as domesticated the cat will be released on the spot.
• Call The Cat Protection Society of NSW on 9519 7201 to see if they can rehome strays. The Cat Protection Society of NSW is a not-for-profit charity and may not have funds, staff or room to take stray kittens. 
• Hire and set a cat trap to humanely catch stray cats. Cat traps are not for domesticated cats. A domesticated cat may seem 'feral' in a cage, as frightened animals can act differently in a stressful situation. If you have caught what you know to be a domesticated cat, you must immediately release it so that it can return home.

An annual permit fee as prescribed by legislation is required for dogs of a restricted breed or those declared to be dangerous. This permit is in addition to the one-off lifetime pet registration fee.

This permit highlights the responsibility required by those owning dangerous and restricted breeds of dogs and encourages owners to better manage the behaviour of their animal.

You can request that Burwood Council review your dangerous dog declaration. Owners must ensure their dog undergoes appropriate behavioural training as part of any review.

Call Council on 9911 9911 for more information.

Keeping Chickens

There are some great benefits to having chickens in your backyard, however there are rules and regulations that relate to keeping poultry. Please check with Council if you are not sure if your property is affected by the following.

Key Rules

• Roosters are not allowed anywhere in Burwood Council.
• You can keep a maximum of five chickens (poultry) per property.

These rules help protect animal welfare, public health, and the wider poultry industry.

Chicken Coop Requirements

Under the State Environmental Planning Policy (Exempt and Complying Development Codes) 2008, Part 2, Division 1, Subdivision 21 states that your chicken coop must:

• Be located in the rear yard
• Be limited to one coop per property
• Have a maximum floor area of 15 m²
• Be no higher than 3 metres
• Be at least 3 metres from property boundaries
• Be at least 4.5 metres from homes, schools, public halls, and food businesses
• Be made from non-reflective materials that blend with the environment
• Have proper drainage
• Have flooring made of concrete, asphalt, or clean sand under perches
• House no more than five chickens

Chicken coops are generally allowed in residential zones, but may not be permitted on heritage-listed properties.

Poultry Yard Requirements

The area where chickens are kept must:

• Be fully enclosed to prevent escape
• Be kept clean and free from strong odours at all times

Additional Legal Requirements

Further requirements are set out under the Local Government (General) Regulation 2005 - Schedule 2, Part 5, Division 2

Distance Requirements

• Chickens must not be kept too close to neighbouring buildings and must be at least 4.5 metres from homes, schools, public halls, and food-related premises.
• Other types of poultry may require larger separation distances (up to 30 metres).
• Council may require greater distances in some cases.

Flooring Requirements

• Poultry houses must have concrete or asphalt flooring under roosts or perches

This does not apply if:

• The coop is far enough away from nearby buildings, or
• It is built on clean sand

When These Rules Apply

These standards apply only if Council issues a formal order under Section 124 of the Local Government Act. 

In NSW it is the law that dog and cat owners both microchip and lifetime register pets. Cats and dogs should be registered by six months of age.

To register your cat or dog online, please ensure that:

• your cat or dog is microchipped
• your cat is desexed
• your dog is not menacing, dangerous or a restricted breed
• you are over 18 years old. We cannot allow minors to register a pet.

Register your pet online

Registration fees are valid for the lifetime of each pet and penalties apply if you choose not to microchip and register your pet.

If your dog is an assistance animal you're not required to pay a registration fee, but you will need to register your animal through Council.

Microchipping your pet

Your local vet or an authorised identifier can microchip your pet. The microchip contains a unique number which will identify your pet should they become lost or stolen. Your animal’s microchip is activated once the identification number is provided to the NSW Pet Registry by your vet or authorised identifier.

An annual permit fee as prescribed by legislation is required for cats that are not de-sexed if they are over four months old. This permit is in addition to the one-off lifetime pet registration fee.

De-sexing your cat is strongly encouraged, by doing this you will:

• improve the health and wellbeing of the animal
• reduce the amount of unwanted litters
• lower demand on pounds
• reduce euthanasia rates
• help to address concerns about feral, stray and roaming cats. 

The rules for selling or giving a cat or dog away changed on 1 July 2019.

• It is the responsibility of the person selling or giving away an animal to transfer ownership to the new owner through NSW Pet Registry The responsibility of the animal will remain with you as the original owner until the transfer has been completed.
• If selling your pet, any advertisement must include either:

• a microchip number
• a breeder identification number
• a re-homing organisation number

You can create an online profile for your pet through NSW Pet Registry

By creating an online profile and linking all your pets, you can easily update and amend information to ensure you are reunited you with your pet if it becomes lost.

Create an online profile with NSW Pet Registry

Once you have successfully set up the owner profile, you can claim your pet/s using the microchip number.

Update your name

Occasionally, the name on the Pet Registry may be different to your legal name. If this is the case, you will need to contact Burwood Council  on 9911 9911 to update your information.

If threatened or attacked by a dog you should contact Council on 9911 9911. This number can also be used for after-hours attacks.

The Companion Animals Act 1998 requires that all dogs must be under effective control by means of a chain, cord or leash when in public (unless in a designated off-leash area) in order to minimise the chances of an attack occurring. Owners are responsible for their pets actions. The Act also gives Council powers to investigate alleged attacks on a person or another animal.

In order for Council to investigate the attack detailed information is required:

• Statement of Facts – date, time, location, description of the attack and nay injuries.
• Description of the offending dog – the dogs' appearance, colour, any distinguishing marks and gender (if known).
• Where the dog lives or comes from
• Name of the dog, if known
• Name and contact details of the dogs owner, if known
• Name and contact details of any witnesses
• Photographic evidence of any injuries to any person or animal
• A doctors report detailing of any injuries suffered by any persons
• A vets report detailing the injuries suffered by any animal.

There are significant penalties for allowing your dog to attack a person or other animal.

The owner of the attacking animal can be fined for breaches, prosecution in court resulting in conviction and heavy fines, yearly registration fees, strict confining and control of the animal and/or animal being declared dangerous.

We recommend that owners are proactive to minimise the risk of your dog attacking.

We recommend that you:

• ensure that the property is secure to ensure the animal can not escape
• always walk your dog on a lead when in public place
• train and socialise your dog.

The is no charge for registering an assistance animal.

Once the animal has been microchipped by a vet or authorised identifier, the owner should contact Council to apply for a no fee registration.

What proof is required?

Council will request reasonable proof that your animal is a genuine assistance animal. This means proof that:

• you have a disability

• your animal has been trained to alleviate the effect of the disability

• your animal is trained to meet standards of hygiene and behaviour appropriate for an animal in a public place.

To find out more about assistance animals, including information on laws for assistance animals under the Companion Animals Act 1998 in NSW, please click here