News and updates

At its October 2025 meeting, the Board resolved to amend the following DOGS NSW Regulations:-

PART II-SHOW
Clause 4.4D – NEW CLAUSE (original Clause 4.4D renumbered 4.4E)
Clause 8A(2)(h) – NEW CLAUSE

PART X-AFFILIATED BODIES
Clause 2.2(b)(ii) – AMENDMENT

Please click here to view the amended Regulations.

ABC News reports that the potentially deadly tick-borne disease that attacks a dog's immune system is now "endemic" across northern Australia!

The rapid spread of Canine Ehrlichiosis since it was first detected in Australia in 2020 "has left a lot of destruction in its wake", veterinarian Liisa Ahlstrom said.

Ehrlichiosis is a bacterial disease transmitted quickly when an infected brown dog tick bites a dog. 

"It's endemic, which means we're never getting rid of it," Dr Ahlstrom said. "A lot of dogs have died from this disease … it's well and truly established across northern Australia."

Image: A dog receives a blood transfusion after an ehrlichiosis diagnosis. (Supplied Elanco Animal Health)

Vets are urging dog owners and those travelling through northern Australia to take preventative action.

The disease presents in three phases, and Dr Ahlstrom said in the first stage symptoms could appear around two weeks after infection.

To read more about the disease in the ABC News article and how to take preventative measures with your dog, please click here.

As you may be aware, voting for the 2025 Board Elections (Metropolitan) closed at 12:00 PM today, Friday, 26 September 2026. The election results were compiled by Vero Voting.

Total Eligible Voters: 2,633
Total Voted: 883

A total of nine (9) candidates stood for election, with the following five (5) candidates successfully elected:
Mr Ross Sinclair – 504 votes 
Mrs Sue McFadden – 492 votes 
Mrs Lynette Brand – 440 votes 
Mrs Tracy Hofman – 423 votes 
Mr Phillip Brown – 418 votes 

The remaining candidates not elected were:
Mr Guy Spagnolo – 402 votes
Mr Stephen Oliver - 386 votes
Mrs Lynette Brown - 349 votes
Mrs Mara Bontempo-Ross – 263 votes

We thank all candidates for their participation and congratulate those who have been elected.

2.2  An Affiliate shall:-

(a) within two (2) months of its Annual General Meeting in each year, but in any case, not later than the 31st day of October, forward to the DOGS NSW Secretary a copy of its Balance Sheet and Financial Statements as adopted and duly prepared by a member of one of the following professional accounting bodies:

Association of Chartered Certified Accountants Australia and New Zealand
CPA Australia
Institute of Public Accountants
National Tax Agents' Association Ltd
The Tax Institute (TTI)
Australian Bookkeepers Association Ltd
Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand
Institute of Certified Bookkeepers
Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales (ICAEW)
National Tax Agents’ Association Ltd (NTAA+)
The Institute of Chartered Accountants Australia (ICAA)
Chartered Accountants Australia & New Zealand (CA ANZ).
TAI Practitioners & Advisers Limited          (09/25)

Members are advised that the 2025 Annual General Meeting of the Royal NSW Canine Council Ltd (DOGS NSW) will be held as follows:
Location: Amenities Building, 44 Luddenham Road, Orchard Hills
Date: Wednesday, 5 November 2025
Time: 7:30pm

All financial members are encouraged to attend. Please remember to bring your membership number with you as it will be verified upon entry.
For those unable to attend in person, completed proxy forms must be submitted by 4.30pm on Monday, 3 November 2025.

The 2025 Agenda can be found here: https://dogsnsw.org.au/media/7499/agm-agenda-2025.pdf
The Proxy Voting Form is available here: https://www.dogsnsw.org.au/.../appointment-of-proxy-2025.pdf

The DOGS NSW Southern Region AGM will be held on:

DATE: Sunday, 30 November, 2025
TIME: 10.30am
VENUE: Wagga Showground Club rooms 

Nominations close: 10 November 2025 

For Nomination or post votes forms please contact: The Secretary, Nicole Tetley: [email protected] 

Please click here to download the AGM Proxy Form.

Please Note: Completed Proxy Appointment Forms must be posted to the RNSWCC, PO Box 632, St Marys NSW 1790 or scanned/emailed to the Office, so as to be received by no later than 4.30pm on Monday 3 November 2025.

(i)  lodge the application for registration into the name/s of the new owner/s in the approved form;

(ii) obtain the new owner/s informed consent in writing to the lodging of a transfer into the name/s of the new owner/s for registration;

(iii) advise the new owner/s in writing that DOGS NSW has a privacy policy in respect of personal information collected including the name and address of the new owner/s by providing a link to the Privacy Policy or a copy of that policy.  (06/20)

(i)  the breeder must provide a veterinary certificate disclosing any known defects and the impact of such defects on the quality of the long term health and well-being of the puppy being rehomed. (05/21)

(ii) the breeder must provide copies of all relevant health testing results of the sire, dam and puppy where genetic testing has been carried out.  (05/21)

(iii) where Litter Registration Limitations are applicable, copies of Sire’s and Dam’s relevant health certificates must be available at the time of sale or rehoming.  (05/21)

Dogs Australia Breeding and Surgical AI Statement can be found here.

DOGS NSW is excited to announce the formation of a new Strategic Planning Committee and is calling for expressions of interest from members who are passionate about the future of our organisation. This committee will play a vital role in identifying innovative and sustainable solutions to support the organisation and ensure the long-term financial stability of DOGS NSW over the next decade and beyond.

DOGS NSW is committed to enhancing and supporting all members, and promoting responsible dog ownership. To achieve these goals, the Strategic Planning Committee will explore and develop forward-thinking strategies that align with the evolving needs of the organisation.

We Are Seeking:

• Individuals with professional experience in business development, financial planning, fundraising, marketing, sponsorships, or strategic planning.
• Forward-thinkers who can bring innovative ideas and solutions to the table.
• Team players with a commitment to collaboration, engagement and long-term growth.
• There will also be an opportunity for younger members to contribute to a younger person’s strategic think tank in the coming months.

Key Responsibilities:

• Deliver a strategic plan for the organisation looking at both short-term and longer-term strategy.
• Assess and explore future directions and models to secure the future of DOGS NSW.
• Develop sustainable strategies and accompanying action plans to deliver future business needs.
• Develop a monitoring and evaluation process to assess our success.
• Work closely with the DOGS NSW Board to provide recommendations and insights.

How to Apply:

Interested members are invited to submit their Expressions of Interest by Monday 15 September 2025.

Please include a resume comprising of:
1. A brief background outlining your experience and expertise relevant to the committee.
2. Your vision for a sustainable future for DOGS NSW.
3. Any innovative ideas you believe could contribute to the organisation’s short term - and long-term
sustainability.

Submissions can be sent via email to [email protected]
FOR DOGS NSW (cc to Lyn Brand [email protected] and Ross Sinclair: [email protected] with the subject line: “EOI – Strategic Planning Committee”.

For further Information:
For further information, please contact Ross Sinclair: [email protected]

Join us in shaping the future of DOGS NSW and ensuring a sustainable legacy for generations to come!