Breeder reforms: Updating the Dog and Cat Management Act 1995

Consultation has concluded

We are inviting you to share your thoughts on proposed changes to dog and cat management laws in our state.

What's being decided?

We have drafted a Bill to improve dog and cat management in South Australia.

The draft Dog and Cat Management (Breeder Reforms) Amendment Bill 2024 includes amendments to increase penalties for dog attacks, and implement a new system for breeder licensing, as part of the government's commitment to banning puppy factories.

Some smaller changes are also proposed to aid clarity, remove red tape and promote action to deliver better services to dog and cat owners and the community. The full suite of reforms is outlined in our Explanatory Guide.

Background

The Dog and Cat Management Act 1995 (Act) is South Australia’s legal framework for managing dogs and cats in South Australia. The aim of the Act is to encourage responsible ownership to reduce public and environmental nuisance and promote effective dog and cat management.

We amended the Act in 2018 to introduce mandatory de-sexing and microchipping and breeder registration. At the same time, the state-wide register, Dogs and Cats Online was introduced.

The Act was reviewed in 2022 to analyse the effectiveness of the 2018 changes and the breeding reforms needed to ban puppy factories; and identify other possible improvements. Input was sought from local government, the RSPCA, Animal Welfare League and the Australian Veterinary Association—the primary stakeholders for enforcing or performing administrative functions under the Act. We also invited the breeding sector, community cat welfare group representatives and other parties to suggest practical solutions for improving the state’s dog and cat management laws.

We are proposing changes to the Act in response to this advice and feedback.

Get involved

Find out more by:

Have your say by:

What are the next steps?

We will consider your feedback to finalise the draft bill for Parliament consideration.

We will publish on this page a consultation report capturing all feedback.

We are inviting you to share your thoughts on proposed changes to dog and cat management laws in our state.

What's being decided?

We have drafted a Bill to improve dog and cat management in South Australia.

The draft Dog and Cat Management (Breeder Reforms) Amendment Bill 2024 includes amendments to increase penalties for dog attacks, and implement a new system for breeder licensing, as part of the government's commitment to banning puppy factories.

Some smaller changes are also proposed to aid clarity, remove red tape and promote action to deliver better services to dog and cat owners and the community. The full suite of reforms is outlined in our Explanatory Guide.

Background

The Dog and Cat Management Act 1995 (Act) is South Australia’s legal framework for managing dogs and cats in South Australia. The aim of the Act is to encourage responsible ownership to reduce public and environmental nuisance and promote effective dog and cat management.

We amended the Act in 2018 to introduce mandatory de-sexing and microchipping and breeder registration. At the same time, the state-wide register, Dogs and Cats Online was introduced.

The Act was reviewed in 2022 to analyse the effectiveness of the 2018 changes and the breeding reforms needed to ban puppy factories; and identify other possible improvements. Input was sought from local government, the RSPCA, Animal Welfare League and the Australian Veterinary Association—the primary stakeholders for enforcing or performing administrative functions under the Act. We also invited the breeding sector, community cat welfare group representatives and other parties to suggest practical solutions for improving the state’s dog and cat management laws.

We are proposing changes to the Act in response to this advice and feedback.

Get involved

Find out more by:

Have your say by:

What are the next steps?

We will consider your feedback to finalise the draft bill for Parliament consideration.

We will publish on this page a consultation report capturing all feedback.

Consultation has concluded

  • Consultation update

    Thank you for sharing your feedback on the draft Dog and Cat Management (Breeder Reforms) Amendment Bill 2024.

    We have reviewed the submissions received and have summarised what we heard in a consultation report.

    The final draft Bill was introduced to Parliament on 25 September 2024.

    The Bill will now be debated and, if passed by both houses, it will go through the process to become an Act (law).

    You can find out more about the progress of the Bill by visiting the South Australian Government legislation website. You can also email DEW.dogandcatreform@sa.gov.au if you have any further questions.

    Feedback on proposed changes to cat management laws is currently being reviewed and a consultation report will be made available on YourSAy.

    The Department for Environment and Water thanks all individuals and organisations for their feedback and participation.