General animal welfare
The welfare of animals in NSW, including farm animals and pets, is protected under the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act and the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Regulation.
Information relating to pet ownership is available from the Department of Local Government website. This site provides information on registering, microchipping, breeding and caring for companion animals.
Additional information about general animal welfare is listed below.
General information
- Advice for pet owners during emergencies
Primefact about emergency preparedness, evacuation and animal handling for pet owners.
- The Companion Animals Taskforce
Information regarding the establishment of the State’s first Companion Animals Taskforce.
Legislation
- Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act 1979
- Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (General) Regulation 2006
Guidelines relating to the welfare of animals
Section 24 of the Regulation lists the guidelines for the husbandry of farmed animals. These are detailed under National model codes of practice for the welfare of livestock available below.
Codes of Practice
Codes of practice which outline the requirements for animal trades (e.g. transport, pet shops, riding centres, trading, boarding, breeding, grooming of animals and pig production) are listed here.
- NSW Code of Practice No 1 - Companion Animal Transport Agencies
- NSW Animal Welfare Code of Practice No 8 - Animals in Pet Grooming Establishments
- Code of Practice for Animals in Film and Theatrical Performances
- NSW Code of Practice No 9 - Security Dogs
- NSW Code of Practice No 4 - Keeping and Trading of Birds
- NSW Animal Welfare Code of Practice No 5 - Dogs and Cats in Animal Boarding Establishments
- NSW Code of Practice No 3 - Horses in Riding Centres and Boarding Stables
- NSW Code of Practice for Animals Used in Rodeo Events
- NSW Guidelines for the Pinioning of Birds
- Animal Welfare Code of Practice - Commercial pig production
- Animal Welfare Code of Practice - Animals in pet shops
- Animal Welfare Code of Practice - Breeding dogs and cats
Other Codes of Practice and Guidelines
- Welfare of birds
- Welfare of dogs and horses
Farm working dogs, correctional centre dogs and tail docking. Bush horse racing, care and transport of horses.
- Welfare of fish
- Welfare of livestock
Resources relating to cattle, pigs, sheep and poultry.
- Welfare of pest animals
Humane handling of pest and feral animals.