🔹 General
What are the new laws that are in place?Â
All dog breeders in NSW must:
- have a breeder identification number
- comply with limits on dog numbers and litters
- meet minimum staff to dog ratio
- provide the dog’s microchip number and their breeder identification number when selling or rehoming a puppy.
These laws help protect dog welfare and prevent puppy farming.
Who needs to comply with these new laws?Â
Anyone who breeds dogs in NSW, whether you’re an experienced breeder or your dog has a one-off accidental litter, is classed as a breeder.
However, certain exemptions apply in limited circumstances. These include:
- racing greyhounds
- assistance dogs, if the breeder is either:
- a member of the International Guide Dog Federation, or
- an accredited member of Assistance Dogs International
- dogs kept by government agencies, such as police or corrective services
- working dogs that remain on the land where they were bred
- animal research conducted under an approved animal research authority.
I don't breed dogs commercially. Do I need to comply with these requirements? Â
Yes. The requirement applies to anyone who sells or transfers a dog, even if it is a once-off, non-commercial or accidental litter.
What penalties apply if I do not comply with these rules?Â
Penalties
| Penalty description | Penalty amount |
|---|---|
| Operating as a breeder in NSW without a breeder identification number (BIN) obtained through the NSW Pet Registry. | Up to $11,000 and up to 6 months imprisonment for individuals. |
Advertising a pet for sale or transfer without the necessary identification information:
| Up to $16,500 and up to 6 months imprisonment for individuals, with penalties of up to $82,500 for corporations. |
| Keeping more than 20 adult female dogs on a premise without a valid exemption. | Up to $110,000 and up to 2 years imprisonment for individuals, with penalties of up to $550,000 for corporations. |
Exceeding the breeding limit in the lifetime of an adult female dog:
| Up to $110,000 and up to 2 years imprisonment for individuals, with penalties of up to $550,000 for corporations. |
| Operating with less than one staff member for every 20 dogs over 12 weeks of age; or for every litter of dogs under 12 weeks of age. | Up to $44,000 for individuals, with penalties of up to $220,000 for corporations. |
🔹 Breeder identification numbers
How do I get a breeder identification number?Â
Apply or reactivate your free breeder identification number through the NSW Pet Registry.
Can I keep using a breeder organisation number or current breeder identification number?Â
Membership numbers from breeder organisations are no longer accepted in place of a breeder identification number. Any person holding a voluntary breeder identification number will automatically have their dog breeder eligibility status set to inactive on 1 December 2025. To activate, breeders must acknowledge and agree to comply with the new arrangements and provide updated details. To learn more visit: NSW Pet Registry.
🔹 Maximum number of female dogs
What do I do if I now have more than 20 female adult dogs?
All breeders must not have more than 20 non-desexed female adult dogs over the age of 6 months on your premises. You must take steps to reduce the number of female adult dogs on your premises.
Breeders found in breach of this requirement may be subject to heavy penalties:
- For an individual – 1,000 penalty units ($110,000) or imprisonment for 2 years, or both
- For a corporation – 5,000 ($550,000) penalty units.
🔹 Care and staffing requirements
How many staff do I need to care for my dogs?Â
To make sure dogs are properly cared for, there must be one person (aged 14+) for every 20 dogs on the premises. Staff can be owners, employees, volunteers, or family members. Staff do not need to be present 24/7, unless extra care is needed because of illness or veterinary advice.
Note:
- Every dog over 12 weeks of age counts as one dog
- Every litter under 12 weeks of age counts as one dog
For example, if there are 30 dogs at the premises, dividing 30 by 20 equals 1.5, which must be rounded up to 2 staff members
Do staff need any formal qualifications?Â
No however it is a legal requirement that individuals and businesses involved in breeding dogs for a fee or reward and those litters that were not accidental comply to the standards in the Animal Welfare Code of Practice breeding cats and dogs. The Code sets out mandatory standards for ensuring acceptable animal welfare levels. These are the minimum standards that must be met under law.
The Breeding Code requires that all persons who care for and manage dogs must be knowledgeable, competent and aware of their daily responsibilities to provide for:
- the care and welfare of dogs
- the feeding, watering, of dogs
- the protection of dogs from distress or injury caused by other animals or interference by people
- cleaning and proper hygiene in the premises
- identifying signs of common diseases.
The Breeding Code also specifies that trainees and volunteers must work under the supervision of trained and experienced assistants or the person in charge of the premises.
Is a person required to be on dog premises 24 hours each day to provide proper and sufficient care, food and water?Â
Staff do not need to be present 24/7, unless extra care is needed because of illness or veterinary advice.
The Breeding Code specifies that all dogs are inspected at least once daily, to check:
- eating
- drinking (particularly in the case of puppies drinking milk)
- defecating
- urinating
- behaving normally
- showing any obvious signs of illness or distress
- ability to move around freely
- display of a normal coat.
The Breeding Code also acknowledges that there may be particular times where the breeding female and her puppies may be ill or distressed and may need additional care and supervision. Practically though, the Breeding Code does not require 24 hours a day care.
🔹 Breeding and veterinary approval
I have a dog that has given two previous caesarean deliveries. What sort of veterinary approval must be obtained before a dog becomes pregnant for a third time?
Written approval of a veterinary practitioner, registered under the Veterinary Practice Act 2003, is required.
This approval should be in the form of a veterinary certificate. Veterinary approval means the veterinarian is reasonably satisfied the pregnancy will not pose a significant risk to the dog’s health. The existing maximum litter limit still applies.
🔹 Advertising and sale
What information needs to be included if people are advertising puppies for sale?
For dogs born after 1 December 2025, a seller must provide a valid breeder identification number or rehoming organisation number and the dog’s microchip number in advertisements irrespective of whether this is online or in print. The new laws apply to anyone selling or transferring a dog, including shelters, online sellers and pet shops
Information required.
| For dogs born before 1 December 2025 | For dogs born from 1 December 2025 |
|---|---|
|
|
There are some exceptions to these new arrangements:
- If a dog over the age of 6 months is being sold or transferred, and there is a breeder identification number or rehoming organisation number recorded against the dog’s microchip number in the NSW Pet Register, the dog’s microchip number, breeder identification number or rehoming organisation number or can be used.
- If a dog being sold or transferred is under 8 weeks of age the microchip of the female parent may be displayed and be clearly identified as the female parent, instead of the puppy’s microchip
- If the dog being sold is a retired greyhound, the greyhound racing industry participant number allocated under the Greyhound Racing Act 2017 may be used in lieu of a breeder identifier number, requirements for the animals’ microchip number still apply.
Do the laws apply if I give away my dog’s puppies?Â
Yes, the laws apply to anyone who is selling or giving away puppies or a dog. If your pet has surprised you with a litter of puppies, you’re now classified as a breeder in NSW.
🔹 Enforcement and reporting
What counts as an offence under the new laws?
It is an offence under the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Amendment (Puppy Farming) Act 2024 No 85 for dog breeders to:
- Fail to obtain or use a required breeder identification number (BIN) or rehoming organisation number (RON)
- Exceed the maximum number of non-desexed female adult dogs permitted on a premises
- Not meet the minimum staff to dog ratios
- Provide incorrect or incomplete information when selling or transferring a dog
- Breach lifetime breeding limits, including limits on total litters or caesarean births
Please note: individuals and businesses involved in breeding dogs for a fee or reward and those litters that were not accidental must comply to the standards in the Animal Welfare Code of Practice breeding cats and dogs.
From 1 December 2029, compliance with the Code will be mandatory for all dog breeders, regardless of whether the breeding was intentional or otherwise, or for fee or reward.
How are the laws enforced?
In New South Wales, enforcement of the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act 1979 (POCTAA) and the Puppy Farming Amendment Act 2024 is carried out RSPCA NSW, Animal Welfare League NSW and the NSW police.
When a complaint is received, an inspector will investigate and make a decision based on the evidence provided. For more information visit: Reporting and enforcement.
How can I report concerns?
If you suspect that an advertisement does not include relevant identification details, or if it might display false information, you should contact one of the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act 1979 enforcement agencies: RSPCA NSW, Animal Welfare League NSW, or NSW Police. For more information visit: Reporting and enforcement.
If the advertisement relates to a greyhound owned by a greyhound racing participant, you should contact the Greyhound Welfare and Integrity Commission.