Anyone breeding cats and dogs must ensure the health, safety and happiness of the pets in their care. The breeding essentials below are a starting point to help you meet legal requirements for breeders in NSW.
Breeder microchipping responsibilities
As a breeder, you must microchip cats or dogs before selling or giving them away, or by the time they are 12 weeks old. If you do not microchip them, you may be issued with a fixed penalty notice for $180 or a court may impose a maximum penalty of up to $880.
Breeders must be listed as the person responsible for the litter, regardless of whether payment has been made in full or a deposit has been paid for a pet and must be able to provide a valid microchip number on request when selling puppies or kittens.
Pet Registration in NSW
Payment of the standard registration fee is required from the time an animal is 12 weeks old, or the date on which ownership of an animal is transferred to a new owner, whichever happens first. Until payment is made, a pet is not registered.
Breeders must pay the registration fee for any pets still in their name from 12 weeks of age.
Interstate and overseas transfers
When an animal is being transferred interstate or overseas, the new owner is responsible for following the laws and regulations of the home state where the animal will be kept.
If a pet is kept in NSW, and is over 12 weeks of age, the breeder must pay the registration fee.
What you must know about litters
- Only sell or give cats and dogs to people over 18.
- Only sell or give away puppies and kittens after they’re 8 weeks old.
- It is the breeder’s responsibility to microchip cats and dogs in NSW. You must do this before you sell or give the pets away, or by the time they’re 12 weeks old.
- Puppies and kittens must be vaccinated against common infectious diseases when they’re 6 to 8 weeks old. Follow best-practice advice from your vet.
- You must not sell or give away cats or dogs suspected of being sick, injured, or diseased.
- All pet cats and dogs must be registered either by 12 weeks of age or immediately upon transfer (whichever happens first).
What you must know about your breeding animals
- Your breeding animals must be registered on the NSW Pet Registry.
- A dog or cat must be physically and mentally fit when mated.
- Female dogs (bitches) must not be intentionally mated until they are one year old.
- Bitches must not have more than 2 litters in any 2-year period, unless a veterinary practitioner approves in writing.
- Female cats (queens) must not be intentionally mated during their first oestrous cycle.
- Queens must not have more than 3 litters in any 2-year period, unless a veterinary practitioner approves in writing.
Laws that breeders must follow
Anyone involved in breeding cats and dogs must understand and follow the obligations in the relevant legislation and regulations.
Read theCompanion Animals Act 1998and the Companion Animals Regulation 2018 for:
- detailed information about the responsibilities of owners and breeders
- identification and registration requirements for cats and dogs.
Cat and dog breeders must follow laws protecting animal welfare that the NSW Department of Primary Industries administers, including the below:
- Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act 1979
- Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (General) Regulation 2012
- Animal Welfare Code of Practice – Breeding dogs and cats
Advertising pets in NSW
In NSW, when you advertise that you are selling or giving away kittens, cats, puppies or dogs, you must include an identification number.
This identification number can be the pets’ microchip number, recognised breeder number, or your breeder identification number (BIN), which is issued free of charge when you create a litter for the first time on the NSW Pet Registry. Rehoming organisations must use their rehoming organisation number.