Pet Exchange Register
The Pet Exchange Register allows you to:
- enrol for a source number
- check the validity of a source number
- report a non-compliant advertisement.
Access the Pet Exchange Register
If you are a registered domestic animal business or voluntarily enrolled foster carer with your local council, there is no need to register as your local council will register on your behalf.
Legal responsibilities
It is an offence to advertise a dog or cat for sale or to give away unless the advertisement includes both:
- the microchip number of each animal advertised
- a source number generated by the Pet Exchange Register.
Offences apply to:
- the person selling the pet
- the publisher of the non-compliant advertisement.
If you are getting a new dog or cat in Victoria, you should check the validity of a seller’s source number on the Pet Exchange Register before you make your purchase.
The Pet Exchange Register can also be used to report advertisements without a valid source number and/or each animal's microchip number.
Assistance is available by contacting Animal Welfare Victoria by phone on 136 186 or per@agriculture.vic.gov.au
Greyhounds sold by Greyhound Racing Victoria
The requirement to obtain a source number for advertisements and the associated offences for failing to do so don't apply to advertisements for Greyhound Racing Victoria (GRV) greyhounds — they are exempt.
Rescue organisation and Community Foster Care Network enrolments
Rescue organisations and Community Foster Care Networks (CFCNs) can easily enrol on the Pet Exchange Register for a source number.
Find out how to enrol on behalf of your organisation.
Frequently asked questions
A set of FAQs and a helpful infographic is available in several languages:
English
Pet Exchange Register FAQs in English
Vietnamese
Pet Exchange Register FAQs in Vietnamese
Chinese
Pet Exchange Register FAQs in Chinese
Arabic
Source numbers
Find out if you need a source number from the Pet Exchange Register:
This content is also available in PDF format.
Yes, you need to register.
Council registers for you.
Yes, you need to register.
Self-enrol as a recreational breeder.
Yes, you need to register.
Self-enrol as a microbreeder.
Yes, you need to register.
Self-enrol.
No, you don't need to register.
No, you don't need to register.
Yes, you need to register.
Self-enrol the organisation.
Yes, you need to register.
Council registers for you.
Yes, you need to register.
Self-enrol.
A source number is required when implanting a microchip into a dog or cat born after 1 July 2020.
You may need to register.
A source number is required when implanting a microchip into a dog or cat born after 1 July 2020.