Breeding dogs and cats

In South Australia there are laws to regulate the breeding, selling and trading of dogs and cats to protect animals from people who put profits before an animal’s welfare. These laws aren’t just for registered businesses; they apply to anyone who breeds, or is involved in the breeding of dogs or cats, including owners of ‘accidental’ litters.

How breeders must comply with the law

There are 6 things South Australian dog and cat breeders must do to comply with the law. 

1. Breeders must uphold welfare standards for breeding animals
2. Breeders must be registered in Dogs and Cats Online
3. Breeders must adhere to advertising rules
4. Microchips must be implanted in dogs and cats before sale
5. Breeders must provide specific information to purchasers
6. Breeders must understand the desexing laws

1/ Uphold welfare standards for breeding animals

Anyone who breeds and/or trades in companion animals should follow the South Australian Standards and Guidelines for Breeding and Trading Companion Animals. These standards set minimum requirements for housing, husbandry, veterinary care and living conditions for breeding dogs and cats and their babies. All breeders should adhere to or exceed these standards to avoid breaking animal welfare laws. Breeders who follow these standards demonstrate their concern for the welfare of the animals in their care. They also respect the community’s expectations of breeders acting ethically, having compassion and respect for the animals in their care. These standards and guidelines are regulated by the Animal Welfare Act 1985 and Animal Welfare Regulations 2012. Breaches should be reported to the RSPCA.

2/ Breeders must be registered in Dogs and Cats Online

All dogs, cats and breeders must be registered in Dogs and Cats Online. If you wish to breed and sell dogs and cats, you must register yourself as a breeder on Dogs and Cats Online, each financial year you intend to sell dogs and cats you have bred. 

3/ Adhere to advertising rules

Any advertisement selling a dog or cat must include the following information (use this template example).

• The seller’s name and phone number
• The breeder’s name and phone number
• The breeder’s Dogs and Cats Online breeder number (e.g. DACO12345)
• If more than one person was involved in the breeding, these details must appear for each person.

4/ Microchips must be implanted in dogs and cats prior to sale

Breeders must have puppies/kittens microchipped before sale with the microchip entered in Dogs and Cats Online, asking the microchip implanter to record the microchip to their DACO breeder number. At the time of sale, breeders must:

• Transfer the microchip record to the new owner on Dogs and Cats Online.
• Provide the microchip number to the new owner with instructions to register in their name

Use the breeder's easy microchip guide for step-by-step details and a flyer to give purchasers.

5/ Provide specific information to purchasers

Any person who sells a dog or cat must provide the following information to purchasers in writing. You can use this sale certificate template for this purpose.

• The name, address and phone number of the seller.
• The name, address, phone number and Dogs and Cats Online breeder number for each breeder involved.
• Any vaccination, treatment or desexing details the animal has received and the name and address of the veterinarian.
• The animal’s microchip number; name and address of the microchip implanter; date of the procedure; and registries the microchip information is stored on.
• Any vet exemptions from microchipping or desexing.
• Details of any known illness or medical condition.
• Details of any (dog) control order in place.

6/ Understand the desexing laws

All dogs and cats born after the 1 July 2018 must be desexed.* Breeders registered in Dogs and Cats Online don't have to have their breeding animals desexed but their breeder registration must be renewed annually to retain the desexing exemption. Dogs and cats must be desexed within 28 days of purchase and before 6 months of age. If a vet grants a time extension, the owner must ensure the procedure takes place before the date specified in the extension notice..

*Some exemptions apply.

More information

• Who has to register?
• How to register?
• Breeder's guide to Dogs and Cats Online
• Breeding standards and guidelines
• Buying or selling dogs or cats
• PAMPHLET: Buying or selling dogs or cats?