Management of Dogs and Cats in Shelters and Pounds

NEW Code of Practice for the Management of Dogs and Cats in Shelters and Pounds (Revision 1)

The Minister for Agriculture and Food Security has revised the Code of Practice for the Management of Dogs and Cats in Shelters and Pounds. This mandatory Code of Practice, under the Domestic Animals Act 1994, has been reviewed for the first time since it was introduced in 1998. Changes to the Code aim to align management practice with community expectations and the welfare needs of dogs and cats held in shelters and pounds.

Input was sought from major stakeholders – including the RSPCA, the Lost Dogs Home, Animal Aid, the Cat Protection Society, Animal Welfare Science Centre and a number of local councils.  A review by the Animal Welfare Advisory Committee (AWAC), and a 28-day public consultation period was held in April 2011 – 538 submissions were received. The Code was amended after the consultation period and comes into effect on 30 June 2011.

Fact sheet: Code of Practice for the Management of Dogs and Cats in Shelters and Pounds (Revision 1)

Code of Practice for the Management of Dogs and Cats in Shelters and Pounds (Revision 1)