News and updates

Reminder to Members of the NSW Legislation, Prevention Of Cruelty to Animals, Timelines and Requirements
11-02-2025

What is changing?

On 21 November 2024, changes were made to the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act 1979, and the Companion Animals Act 1998 to strengthen puppy and dog welfare by establishing minimum standards for dog breeders.

• These changes are coming in stages and will apply to all breeders across NSW. They will improve the identification and accountability of dog breeding activities by mandating compliance with minimum standards to strengthen animal welfare.

• Breeders that had more than 20 female adult dogs immediately before 21 November 2024 will not be subject to the maximum cap until 1 December 2025. However, they are not allowed to acquire additional female adult dogs above the number that was on the dog premises immediately before 21 November 2024.

Figure 1 (below): Timeline of key changes to rules for dog breeding in NSW

These changes will affect the following:

Lifetime breeding cap for dog litter limits and record keeping
A mandatory lifetime litter cap, setting out the maximum number of pregnancies and and types of births will apply to all adult female dogs. Breeders will also be required to keep records of all births.

Minimum number of staff for dog breeding premises
Mandatory staffing ratios for dog breeding premises are being brought in to ensure proper and sufficient care for dogs.

Sale or transfer of dogs
Requirements to provide identification numbers for the sale or transfer of dogs will be changing.

Animal Welfare Code of Practice – Breeding Dogs and Cats
It will become mandatory for all dog breeders to comply with the Animal Welfare Code of Practice – Breeding Dogs and Cats (Breeding Code) to ensure improved animal welfare outcomes for dogs in NSW. 

Maximum number of female adult dogs
A new limit has been set following extensive stakeholder consultation to address key risks and animal health welfare concerns associated with breeding practices.

Mandatory breeder identification
New mandatory breeder identification provisions will apply to anyone breeding dogs, whether regular breeders, occasional breeders or those with accidental litters. This enhances transparency of dog breeding activities across NSW and assists people in acquiring a puppy to know that they are buying from a reputable breeder.

For further information on these changes please click here to read the NSW Government document.

@dogsnsw