Owning dogs and or cats is great for our health and wellbeing, but to balance community expectations it must be managed effectively. In South Australia, that is the purpose of the Dog and Cat Management Act 1995 (the Act). Each council is responsible for administering and enforcing the provisions of the Act relating to dogs and cats within its area. Some elements of dog and cat management, such as welfare and wildlife are governed by other acts. The objects of the Dog and Cat Management Act, 1995 are:
- to encourage responsible dog and cat ownership
- to reduce public and environmental nuisance caused by dogs and cats
- to promote the effective management of dogs and cats (including through encouragement of the desexing of dogs and cats).
For more information on the Act visit, https://dogandcatboard.com.au/about/the-act-and-regulations.
Microchipping
Owners must microchip their dogs and cats by 12 weeks of age or at the point of sale. Veterinarians may exempt an animal for medical reasons. Owners are encouraged to take advantage of the numerous discount microchipping days throughout the state. Visit www.chipblitz.com for upcoming dates, locations and to make a booking. Alternatively, contact your local vet.
Desexing
Dogs and cats born after 1 July 2018 must be desexed by 6 months of age or 28 days after purchase by the owner. Working livestock dogs as well as dogs and cats owned by registered breeders are exempt from the requirement to desex, however the animal will still need to be microchipped.
Breeders
People who breed dogs and cats for sale must register with the Dog and Cat Management Board as a breeder. Your breeder registration number must be included in all advertisements for dogs and cats. There are requirements to disclose the breeder registration number and other information to the buyer at the point of sale. Further information about breading or selling dogs or cats is available at https://dogandcatboard.com.au/breeders/standards-for-breeding.
Dogs and Cats Online
Dogs and Cats Online is the central database for microchipped and registered dogs and cats, registration payments and the register of breeders. You can access this at https://dogsandcatsonline.com.au/.