Puppy farming

Several web sites are encouraging people to write to the government about puppy farms.  The government’s position is set out below:

Each state and territory is responsible for its own animal welfare legislation. While the Australian Government has no legislative responsibility for companion animal matters—including puppy farming operations—it has played a leadership role by coordinating the development and implementation of the Australian Animal Welfare Strategy.

Under this strategy, a working group is determining the tasks that will make the greatest contribution to improving welfare in the companion animals sector and ensuring that these are undertaken as a priority. The RSPCA has two members on the working group, which also includes representatives of the Australian Companion Animal Council, the Pet Industry Association of Australia, the Australian Veterinary Association and state governments.

The working group has decided that developing national standards and guidelines for the keeping of dogs and cats should be a priority, and a small project team has made good progress on this.

In August 2009 New South Wales introduced the Animal welfare code of practice: breeding dogs and cats, which contains legally binding standards that specifically cover puppy farms.

Victoria also has a mandated code of practice covering the management requirements of puppy farms. Proprietors of dog and cat breeding establishments must operate in accordance with the Code of practice for the operation of breeding and rearing establishments. This code details the minimum standards of accommodation, management and care for the welfare—including the physical and behavioural needs—of animals housed at these establishments.

In South Australia RSPCA inspectors are responsible for monitoring the welfare of dogs bred in specific breeding businesses. That state’s Animal Welfare Act 1985 says that the owner of any animal must give it adequate and appropriate food, water, shelter, exercise and veterinary attention, provide a suitable living environment and take all reasonable steps to prevent it coming to harm. These obligations apply equally to the owners of puppy farms and the owners of pet dogs.

In Queensland, dog and cat breeding are subject to the Animal Care and Protection Act 2001. This Act places a duty of care on all people in charge of animals to properly look after them by providing appropriate food, water, accommodation and living conditions, allowing them to display normal patterns of behaviour, and treating disease and injury. This must be done in a way that is appropriate for the type, age and circumstances of the animal. The Act has significant penalties for breaching this duty of care, which can result in fines of up to $30,000 or one year imprisonment. A breach of the cruelty provisions can result in a fine of $100,000 or two years imprisonment.

In Western Australia, RSPCA inspectors are responsible for monitoring the welfare of dogs, including those in specific breeding businesses. Western Australia's Animal Welfare Act 2002 applies to all animals, including dogs, and requires that anyone in charge of any animal must provide it with proper and sufficient food and water, shelter, and protect it from any harm that could be alleviated by taking reasonable steps. Under the WA Dog Act 1976, kennels must be licensed and the owner of a dog that appears to be diseased must seek veterinary examination of the animal. These obligations apply to the owners of all pet dogs or puppy farms.

In the Australian Capital Territory the welfare of dogs is protected under the Animal Welfare Act 1992. The ACT Government is not aware of any trade in puppies sourced through 'puppy farms or puppy mills' in the ACT. Should evidence of such trade be forthcoming both the RSPCA and ACT Government officers will investigate any suggestion of breaches of the Animal Welfare Act 1992. The ACT’s Code of Practice for the Care and Management of Animals in Pet Shops (1993) is currently being reviewed.