Victoria's new bill bans commercial pet stores from selling puppies and kittens from breeders. Stores will now be required to source dogs and cats from registered animal pounds, animal shelters or community foster care organisations.
The new laws aim to eliminate pet shops as a point of sale of puppies from large-scale breeders, and promote the adoption of homeless dogs and cats to prospective pet owners. Currently, 43,900 dogs die in Australia’s pounds each year.
The changes follow revelations about the cruel treatment of dogs and puppies raised by large-scale breeders. A 2013 poll conducted by the Animal Welfare League NSW found 80% of people in NSW believed puppy farming should be stopped.
Victoria’s ban on pet shop sales of puppies and kittens is similar to California banning the sale of “puppy mill” dogs in pet stores back in October last year, and Maryland adopting similar legislation in April this year. But what makes the Victorian legislation unique is a cap limiting the number of fertile females allowed by commercial breeders.
Many issues have been brought to light by animal welfare organisation Oscar’s Law, who have campaigned rigorously for amendments to companion animal breeding laws in Victoria and across the country.
Here's what makes Victoria’s new laws unique
The 2020 introduction of a cap of 50 fertile females for breeders takes Victoria’s laws a step further. The cap will see the end of businesses operating with upward of 200 breeding dogs. While many animal advocacy groups have welcomed the introduction of a cap, others have accused the state Labor government of being influenced by “animal rights activists”.
During numerous parliamentary hearings, opponents including pet shop industry bodies, commercial dog breeders and coalition ministers, argued that there was “no scientific basis” for the cap of 50 fertile dogs. Opponents argued it would drive breeding “underground” and make it difficult for Victorians to access and afford specific in-demand dogs, including “designer dogs” such as Cavoodles.
