Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Amendment (Puppy Farming) Act 2024
On 21 November 2024, new laws came into effect to strengthen puppy and dog welfare across the state by implementing a range of measures to ban puppy farming.
These measures lay out a robust and modernised regulatory system for all breeders to deliver good animal welfare without imposing undue regulatory burden on legitimate breeders.
For more information, view the Act on the NSW Parliamentary website.
What is the intent of these changes?
The Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act 1979 (POCTAA) and the Companion Animals Act 1998 have been amended relating to dog breeding and the advertising of dogs for sale or transfer, and other related purposes.
What are the changes?
The changes apply to all breeders across NSW by improving the identification and accountability of dog breeding activities to strengthen animal welfare outcomes by mandating compliance with minimum standards including:
From 21 November 2024:
- a mandatory cap of 20 female dogs on any premises that are 6 months of age and not rendered permanently infertile (female adult dog). Existing premises with over 20 female adult dogs are not subject to the cap.
From 1 December 2025:
- mandatory breeder identification number obtained through the NSW Pet Registry increasing transparency of the sector and assisting people acquiring a puppy to purchase from an ethical breeder;
- lifetime breeding limits for female dogs of five litters in total or up to three caesarean litters with veterinarian approval, whichever occurs first.
- establishing a standard of care of one staff member for every 20 dogs over 12 weeks of age to ensure that sufficient care, food and water are provided; Litters of dogs under 12 weeks of age will be counted as one, in recognition of the critical role played by the female parent.
- strengthened advertising requirements for the sale or transfer of dogs; and certain identification information to be disclosed prior to the sale or transfer of dogs born on that date or after
- certain breeders who had more than 20 female adult dogs on a premises as at 24 October 2024 will be able to apply for a limited exemption to the maximum cap. This exemption will apply for ten years, giving breeders significant time to appropriately scale down their operations and avoid any adverse animal welfare outcomes.
From 1 December 2029:
- mandatory compliance of all dog breeders, regardless of whether the breeding was intentional or otherwise, or for fee or reward are required to comply with the Breeding Code of Practice and take steps to ensure all staff members also comply with the Breeding Code of Practice, or relevant provisions of the Breeding Code of Practice for persons breeding dogs.
- Note: the requirement to comply Breeding Code of Practice continues to apply for those businesses who in the course of which dogs or cats are bred for fee or reward.
- Statutory review after approximately 6 years from the date of assent to the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Amendment (Puppy Farming) Act 2024 to ensure the policy objectives and provisions remain valid and fit for purpose.
To view these legislative changes more specifically, view the Prevention of Animal Cruelty Amendment (Puppy Farming) Act 2024 on the NSW Parliament website.
Are there any transitional arrangements?
Yes. Transitional arrangements will apply in certain circumstances for the implementation of the maximum cap on the number of female adult dogs at a dog premises.
Until 1 December 2025, breeders with more than 20 female adult dogs on the dog premises will not breach the maximum cap if the number of female adult dogs on the premises is no more than the number of female adult dogs that were kept on the premises immediately before 21 November 2024. Breeders will be required to provide documentary evidence to support any claims at the request of an inspector.
After 1 December 2025, certain breeders will be exempted, subject to certain conditions, from the maximum cap if the number of female adult dogs on premises is more than 20. This includes the requirement to comply with the Breeding Code, and submit an annual breeding report.
Applications for exemptions opened: Friday 30 May 2025 and closed Sunday 13 July 2025.
If you require an exemption to the maximum cap on female adult dogs, but missed the application deadline, the Office of Local Government will still consider applications for a limited time upon request. For further details, please refer to the NSW Pet Registry website at: Temporary exemption application | Office of Local Government