Dogs NSW is an integral member of the NSW Animal Welfare Taskforce.
“The Taskforce is chaired by the Member for Charlestown, Mr Andrew Cornwell MP, and consists of representatives of the following organisations, invited by the Ministers to participate:- · Animal Welfare League NSW (AWL NSW),
- · Australian Companion Animal Council (ACAC),
- · Australian Institute of Local Government Rangers (AILGR),
- · Australian Veterinary Association (AVA),
- · Cat Protection Society of NSW (CPS),
- · Local Government and Shires Associations of NSW (LGSA),
- · Dogs NSW,
- · Pet Industry Association Australia (PIAA), and
- · Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals NSW (RSPCA).
The Taskforce public discussion paper was released earlier this month.. It contained several recommendations in the form of “Options”.
“Option 1 Introduce a breeder licensing system
Key findings
There are effective regulatory mechanisms in NSW to prosecute unethical breeders, including “puppy farmers”. However, enforcement relies on complaints from the community.
Some animal welfare agencies and industry bodies have indicated their support for the introduction of breeder licensing as a means to further strengthen the regulation of companion animal breeding practices and there is a move towards such licensing in other jurisdictions.
A breeder licensing system could be developed to improve consistency in the regulation of cat and dog breeders by providing a “welfare tick of approval” with the aim of ensuring that breeders are ethical sellers. Licence requirements could be based on the enforceable standards of the Animal Welfare Code of Practice – Breeding Dogs and Cats. However, this system could be complemented by updating the existing guidelines contained within the Code of Practice to enforceable standards (see Option 2).”
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