Designed to promote responsible pet ownership and improve animal welfare, owners of cats that are not desexed by four months of age will be required to pay an $80 annual permit, in addition to their one-off lifetime pet registration fee.

The Eurobodalla Shire Council said the move creates a stronger incentive to desex cats, which not only improves their health and wellbeing, but is also expected to help ease the burden on pounds and shelters, reduce euthanasia rates, and address concerns about feral, stray and roaming cats and their effect on wildlife.

Exemptions are in place for cats registered before July 1, those kept for breeding purposes by members of recognised breeding bodies, and cats that cannot be de-sexed for medical reasons.

Owners of dogs of a restricted breed or formally declared to be dangerous will also be required to pay a $195 annual permit in addition to their one-off lifetime pet registration fee.

Fees go directly to the NSW Government's 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.

The fund is also used to operate the NSW Pet Registry and carry out responsible pet ownership initiatives.

Annual permits can be bought via the NSW Pet Registry website or through Eurobodalla Council, which is responsible for administering the NSW Companion Animal Management Act.

For more information about owning a pet in Eurobodalla visit www.esc.nsw.gov.au/pets