The object of this Act is to prevent cruelty to animals and promote their welfare. This Act mandates that those responsible for animals provide proper care, treat them humanely and safeguard their welfare.
Act
Regulation
Codes of practice and standards
Codes of Practice and Standards prescribed under clause 31 of the POCTA Regulation 2025
- NSW Animal Welfare Code of Practice No 1 - Companion Animal Transport Agencies
- NSW Animal Welfare Code of Practice No 3 - Horses in Riding Centres and Boarding Stables
- NSW Animal Welfare Code of Practice No 4 - Keeping and Trading of Birds
- NSW Animal Welfare Code of Practice No 5 - Dogs and Cats in Animal Boarding Establishments
- NSW Animal Welfare Code of Practice No 8 - Animals in Pet Grooming Establishments
- NSW Animal Welfare Code of Practice No 9 - Security Dogs
- Animal Welfare Code of Practice - Animals in Pet Shops
- Animal Welfare Code of Practice - Breeding Dogs and Cats
- Animal Welfare Code of Practice - Commercial Pig Production
- Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (Land Transport of Livestock) Standards 2013 No 2
Code of Practice prescribed under clause 44 of POCTA Regulation 2025
Code of Practice prescribed under clause 48 of POCTA Regulation 2025
Evidentiary guidelines
Evidentiary guidelines relating to the welfare of farm or companion animals and prescribed under clause 40 of the POCTA Regulation 2025
- Model Code of Practice for the Welfare of Animals: Domestic Poultry
- Model Code of Practice for the Welfare of Animals: Farmed Buffalo
- Model Code of Practice for the Welfare of Animals: Animals at Saleyards
- Model Code of Practice for the Welfare of Animals: The Goat
- Model Code of Practice for the Welfare of Animals: The Farming of Deer
- National Guidelines for Beef Cattle Feedlots in Australia
- NSW Animal Welfare Guide for Virtual Fencing of Cattle
- Welfare scoring nutritionally deprived beef cattle, dairy cattle and their crosses, sheep and horses
- Australian Animal Welfare Standards and Guidelines for Cattle
- Australian Animal Welfare Standards and Guidelines for Sheep
Amendments
- Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Amendment Act 2021 No 15
- Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Amendment (Transparency and Fit and Proper Persons) Act 2024
- Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Amendment (Prohibitions for Convicted Persons) Act 2022
- Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Amendment (Puppy Farming) Act 2024