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Animal Welfare

Acts & Regulations

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Domestic (Feral & Nuisance) Animals Act 1994
Version incorporating amendments as at 12 December 2007.

See also Domestic (Feral and Nuisance) Animals Act 1994 - Applicable organisations.See also Government Orders
DFNA Act V35 Dec 07.pdf
(PDF 559kb)
Domestic (Feral & Nuisance) Animals Regulations
Version incorporating amendments as at 24 June 2008
DFNA Regs V4 Jun 08.pdf
(PDF 477kb)
Impounding of Livestock Act 1994
Version incorporating amendments as at 12 December 2007.
ILA Act V25 Dec 07.pdf
(PDF 332kb)
Impounding of Livestock Regulations 2008
Version incorporating amendments as at 24 June 2008
ILA Regulations 2008 V1.pdf
(PDF 57kb)
Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act 1986
Version incorporating amendments as at 20 March 2008

See also Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act 1986 - Approved Hunting Organisations
POCTA Act V73 Mar 08.pdf
(PDF748kb)
Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Regulations 1997 (Principal Regulations)
Version incorporating amendments as at 24 June 2008
POCTA Regulations V27 Jun 08.pdf
(PDF 400kb)
Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (Domestic Fowl) Regulations 2006
First version commenced 01 January 2007
POCTA (DF) Regs V1 Jan 07.pdf
(PDF 142kb)

Please note that while we endeavor to ensure the latest version of the legislation is posted above we cannot guarantee this, to ensure you have the most recent version visit www.legislation.vic.gov.au (external link) and check under "Victorian Law Today"

Domestic (Feral and Nuisance) Animals Act 1994 - Applicable Organisations

The Minister for Agriculture may declare certain organisations to be 'applicable organisations'. Such organisations produce an annual report and have a code of ethics that requires responsible pet ownership in compliance with the Act and its related codes of practice. It is expected that the organisation will take disciplinary action against members who do not comply with the organisation's code. This recognition also means that they are an organisation with high standards of responsible pet ownership to whom the community can look to when buying a pet or when seeking advice on care of a pet.

Members of applicable organisations may receive a reduced council registration fee for their pet's annual registration.

Applicable Organisations for 2007
Domestic (Feral and Nuisance) Animals Act 1994 - Governing Orders

The Governor in Council may make Orders by publishing in the Government Gazette exemptions of any animal or class of animal to be exempt from any or all of the provisions of the Act. The following are the published Orders currently in place

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Exemption Order for owners of racing Greyhounds exempting these dogs from the requirement to register racing Greyhounds with Council
Greyhound - Exemption Order 4-4-96.pdf
(PDF 117kB)
Exemption Order for Greyhound Adoption Dogs exempting these dogs from the requirement to wear muzzles in public places
Greyhound - GAP Exemption Order 16-12-99.pdf
(PDF 145kB)
Notice of Declaration of Applicable Organisations
Notice of Declaration of Applicable Organisations.pdf
(PDF 142Kb)


The Secretary of the Department of Primary Industries has the power to require certain experience or qualifications to provide services under the Act. The following are the published prescribed requirements currently in place

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Notice of prescribed qualifications for non-Council emplyees to be Authorised Officers
Prescribed Qualifications for non-Council Employees to be authorised.pdf
(PDF 62Kb)
Approved qualifications for people to become Authorised Impanters to implant microchips into dogs and cats
Microchip Authorised Implanter approved qualifications.pdf
(PDF 45Kb)

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Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act 1986 - Approved Hunting Organisations

Approved Hunting Organisations: The Code of Practice for the Welfare of Animals in Hunting defines an approved organisation as one that promotes ethical hunting and compliance of members with the code by:
  • Developing hunter education and proficiency testing programs and encouraging members to participate in these programs
  • Using practice ranges so that members may use simulated targets to develop proficiency. New members or novices should practice before using firearms or bows in hunting
  • Appointing sufficient numbers of experienced members as field officers so that the hunting activities of members can be adequately assessed
  • Providing an annual report of the hunting activities of members (and the registration of hounds, if applicable) to the Bureau of Animal Welfare

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