Commercial Dog Breeders Domestic Animals Amendment (Puppy Farms and Pet Shops) Act 2017 What is a commercial dog breeder? Background Changes introduced through the PFPS Act limit the number of dogs allowed on a single rateable property. Breeders are The Domestic Animals Amendment able to have up to 10 fertile females with (Puppy Farms and Pet Shops) Act 2017 council approval alone. (PFPS Act) introduced a range of amendments to the Domestic Animals Act To hold 11 to 50 fertile female dogs, 1994 (DA Act). These amendments breeders must attain approval from the deliver on the Government’s election Minister for Agriculture. Businesses with commitment to reform the dog breeding this approval are defined as an ‘approved and pet shop industries in Victoria and commercial dog breeder’. better regulate the sale of dogs and cats. How do I become an approved Under the amended DA Act: commercial dog breeder? there are limits on the number of fertile female dogs breeders can keep Businesses must first apply to their local council for registration as a Domestic pet shops can only sell dogs and cats Animal Business (DAB). To be a DAB, a sourced from shelters, pounds or business must: enrolled foster carers satisfy planning permit requirements a voluntary foster carer scheme is and receive a planning permit, if established required there are new definitions for and receive an excess animal permit from ‘recreational breeders’ their local council, if required ‘microbreeders’ the definition of is register as a DAB with their local ‘farm working dogs’ clarified council in accordance with the Act and local council requirements an animal sale permit system is established comply with the Code of Practice for the Operation of Breeding and Rearing traceability of cats and dogs is Businesses 2014 (revision 2015). improved through the establishment of Following registration as a DAB, the Pet Exchange Register businesses must apply to the Minister for offences apply for publishing non- Agriculture to obtain commercial dog compliant pet sale advertisements. breeding approval.
Commercial Dog Breeders Domestic Animals Amendment (Puppy Farms and Pet Shops) Act 2017 Background The Domestic Animals Amendment (Puppy Farms and Pet Shops) Act 2017 (PFPS Act) introduced a range of amendments to the Domestic Animals Act 1994 (DA Act). These amendments deliver on the Government’s election commitment to reform the dog breeding and pet shop industries in Victoria and better regulate the sale of dogs and cats. Under the amended DA Act: there are limits on the number of fertile female dogs breeders can keep pet shops can only sell dogs and cats sourced from shelters, pounds or enrolled foster carers a voluntary foster carer scheme is established there are new definitions for ‘recreational breeders’ and ‘microbreeders’ the definition of ‘farm working dogs’ is clarified an animal sale permit system is established traceability of cats and dogs is improved through the establishment of the Pet Exchange Register offences apply for publishing non- compliant pet sale advertisements. What is a commercial dog breeder? Changes introduced through the PFPS Act limit the number of dogs allowed on a single rateable property. Breeders are able to have up to 10 fertile females with council approval alone. To hold 11 to 50 fertile female dogs, breeders must attain approval from the Minister for Agriculture. Businesses with this approval are defined as an ‘approved commercial dog breeder’. How do I become an approved commercial dog breeder? Businesses must first apply to their local council for registration as a Domestic Animal Business (DAB). To be a DAB, a business must: satisfy planning permit requirements and receive a planning permit, if required receive an excess animal permit from their local council, if required register as a DAB with their local council in accordance with the Act and local council requirements comply with the Code of Practice for the Operation of Breeding and Rearing Businesses 2014 (revision 2015). Following registration as a DAB, businesses must apply to the Minister for Agriculture to obtain commercial dog breeding approval.
Fact-sheet-commercial-dog-breeders.docx