QUEANBEYAN-Palerang residents who adopt a rescue pet from a council pound will receive free lifetime pet registration, thanks to a state government initiative.

The NSW government is offering owners of rescue animals a lifetime of free rego to ensure more dogs and cats find a forever home.

The free pet rego applies to desexed animals from Queabeyan-Palerang Regional Council’s (QPRC) animal management facility in Queanbeyan.

Minister for Local Government Shelley Hancock hopes the initiative will encourage prospective pet owners to “adopt not shop” for a dog or cat, and reduce the burden on council pounds and animal shelters.

“There’s nothing more rewarding than giving a forever home to a rescue dog or cat and enjoying a lifetime of loving companionship,” Ms Hancock says.

“In 2015, the NSW Government introduced a 50 per cent discount on lifetime pet registration fees for people who rescue dogs and cats from council pounds and animal shelters across the state which was extended to include rehoming organisations in 2018.

“So far, more than 60,000 pet owners have saved over $1.8M in reduced pet registration fees.

“The government is committed to encouraging even more pet adoptions and that’s why we are now introducing free lifetime pet registration for people who adopt a rescue dog or cat.”

Pet registration fees go directly to the Companion Animals Fund which pays for companion animal management by local councils including pounds/shelters, ranger services, dog recreation areas, and education and awareness programs.