Legislation for the Welfare and Management of Domestic Animals
Note: As of 1 September 2009 the name of the Domestic (Feral & Nuisance) Animals Act and Regulations was changed to the Domestic Animals Act and Domestic Animals Regulations.
New Legislative Requirements
- New legislative requirements for people who breed and sell dogs and cats.
New Definitions for Foster Care
NEW Code of Practice for the Management of Dogs and Cats in Shelters and Pounds (Revision 1)
As of 30th June 2011 the Code of Practice for the Management of Dogs and Cats in Shelters and Pounds (Revision 1) is now available.
Act & Regulations
Animal Welfare legislation
Domestic Animals Act 1994
Version incorporating amendments as at 1 January 2012: DA Act V4
Domestic Animals Regulations
Version incorporating amendments as at 1 September 2009: DA Regs V5 Sep 09
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:
- Exemption Order for dingoes (wildlife) exemption from registration with Council of individual dingoes and from domestic animal business registration for dingo breeders - Dingo Wildlife Order
- Exemption Order for owners of racing greyhounds exempting these dogs from the requirement to register racing Greyhounds with Council - Greyhound - Exemption Order
- Exemption Order for Greyhound Adoption Dogs exempting these dogs from the requirement to wear muzzles in public places - Greyhound - GAP Exemption Order
- Exemption Order for 'Lost Dogs Home' from the operation of Section 63A of Domestic Animals Act exempting the Lost Dogs home from the operation of Section 63A of Domestic Animals Act in relation to compliance with the provision under clause 2.3.6 of the Code of Practice for the Management of Dogs and Cats in Shelters and Pounds - Lost Dogs Home -Exemption Order 01-02-02
- Exemption Order for Imported Schutzhund trained dogs exempting imported schutzhund trained German Shepherds from section 10A(4)(a), section 40, and section 41(1) of the Domestic Animals Act - Imported Schutzhund trained German Shepherds Order 31-3-09
- Notice of approval of Guide Dog Training Organsations - Notice of approval of Guide Dog Training Organisations 14-03-96
- Notice of Declaration of Applicable Organisations - Notice of Declaration of Applicable Organisations
- Exemption Order for the Scientific Establishments from registering dogs and cats - Exemption Order
- Exemption Order from the Victorian Animal Aid Trust from Specific operation of 63A - Exemption Order
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:
- Notice of prescribed qualifications for non-Council employees to be Authorised Officers - Prescribed Qualifications for Non-Council Employees to be Authorised
- Approved qualifications for people to become Authorised Impanters to implant microchips into dogs and cats - Microchip Authorised Implanter Approved Qualifications
