Breeding a dog

From 1 December 2025, anyone breeding dogs, whether regular breeders, occasional breeders or those with accidental litters, will be required to obtain a Breeder Identification Number (BIN).  For organisations who have custody of seized or surrendered dogs, and where one of these dogs become pregnant accidentally, or a pregnant dog comes into their custody, Rehoming Organisation Number – known as a RON, will be accepted in lieu of a BIN to avoid unnecessary red-tape.

Individual breeders or organisations currently holding a voluntary BIN will be required to re-apply and update their details before commencement, as previous BINS will be cancelled.

Farmers breeding working dogs for the purpose of working on the land on which they were bred will be exempt from obtaining a BIN whilst they remain on that land.

For greyhounds bred by a greyhound racing industry participant—the greyhound racing participant identification number issued under the Greyhound Racing Act 2017 can be used in lieu of a breeder identification number.

From 1 December 2025 the application process for dog breeder identification numbers is changing.  A membership number of a recognised dog breeders’ organisation will no longer be acceptable. From early 2025, all breeders will be required to apply for a breeder identification number under new arrangements.

All existing dog breeder identification numbers that have been issued voluntarily will be cancelled.

The application process for rehoming organisation numbers is also changing.  From early 2025, all rehoming organisations will be required to apply to be a designated rehoming organisation under the Companion Animals Act 1998. This new application process will require additional information.

Penalty and offence amendments

A new offence for failing to obtain a BIN will apply.  For individuals this will provide a maximum of 100 penalty units ($11,000), or 6 months imprisonment, or both; and for a corporation, a maximum of 500 penalty units ($55,000).  There will also be a penalty notice offence of $500 for individuals, and $2,500 for a corporation.

From 1 December 2025, any advertisement for the sale or transfer of dogs born after 1 December 2025 must include the animals microchip number and the breeder’s identification number of its breeder, or in the case of a rehoming organisation where the identity of the breeder is not known, a rehoming organisation number. In circumstances where an advertisement is not made, this information must be provided to the purchaser before or at the time of sale.

An overview of the information required includes:

There are some exceptions to these new arrangements:

• If a dog over the age of 6 months is being sold or transferred, and there is a BIN or RON recorded against the dog’s microchip number in the NSW Pet Registry, the dog’s microchip number or BIN or RON can be used.
• If a dog being sold or transferred is under 8 weeks of age the microchip of the female parent may be displayed and be clearly identified as the female parent, instead of the puppy’s microchip.
• If the dog being sold is a retired greyhound, the greyhound racing industry participant number allocated under the Greyhound Racing Act 2017 may be used in lieu of a breeder identifier number, requirements for the animal's microchip number still apply.

Penalty and offence amendments

A new offence for breaching advertising requirements will apply from 1 December 2025.  For individuals this will provide a maximum of 150 penalty units ($16,500), or 6 months imprisonment, or both; and for a corporation, a maximum of 750 penalty units ($82,500).  There will also be a penalty notice offence of $1,000 for individuals, and $5,000 for a corporation. The higher penalties and offence provisions are to address the particularly prevalent practice of advertising untraceable puppies online, and to reflect the seriousness of any contravention of this measure.

From 1 December 2025, a mandatory a lifetime litter cap will apply for all female dogs (maximum delivery of 5 litters or up to 3 caesareans litters, whichever comes first). Breeders are also required to keep additional records of all births.

Veterinary approval must also be obtained before a dog becomes pregnant for a third time, if that dog has given two previous caesarean deliveries. The approval should certify that another birth will not pose a risk to the dog's health, and the existing maximum litter limit will still apply.

Penalty and offence amendments

New offences for breaching lifetime litter limits requirements will apply from 1 December 2025. For individuals these range from a maximum of 100 ($11,000)- 1,000 penalty units ($110,000), or 2 years imprisonment, or both; and for a corporation these range from a maximum of 500 ($55,000) - 5,000 penalty units ($550,000).  Related penalty notices offences ranging from $500-$1,000 for individuals, and $2,500-5,000 for a corporation.

From 1 December 2025, mandatory staff ratios are required. These staff ratios provide a clear articulation of the Government’s expectations regarding animal welfare – and reflects the view that one person could not possibly meet the welfare requirements of more than 20 dogs on their own.

The required staff to animal ratio at any premise will be one staff member for every 20 dogs to ensure each dog receives proper and sufficient care, food and water.

Staff includes people working full-time or part-time, being an employee, a volunteer, an owner or manager, or family member of the owner or manager.

Staff must be aged 14 years and over.

Penalty and offence amendments

New offences for breaching staff to animal ratios will apply from 1 December 2025. For individuals this will provide a maximum of 400 penalty units ($44,000); and for a corporation, a maximum of 2,000 penalty units ($220,000).  There will also be a penalty notice offence of $1,000 for individuals, and $5,000 for a corporation.

From 21 November 2024, an occupier of dog premises must not keep more than 20 female adult dogs over six months of age that have not been rendered permanently infertile (female adult dog) at any premises. This limit has been set following extensive stakeholder consultation and addresses key risks and animal health welfare concerns associated with breeding practices.

This requirement does not apply in certain circumstances, such as essential government services (i.e. police and corrections dogs) and specified animal welfare functions.

To avoid adverse animal welfare outcomes, it is recognised that breeders with more than 20 female adult dogs on premises will require additional time to scale down their operations in a controlled manner.

From 21 November 2024 until 30 November 2025, breeders with more than 20 female adult dogs will be prevented from acquiring additional female adult dogs, above the number that was on the dog breeding premises, immediately before 21 November 2024. During this time the maximum cap of 20 does not apply to these existing breeders.

From 1 December 2025, certain breeders with more than 20 female adult dogs on a premises will be able to apply for a limited exemption to the maximum cap. This exemption will apply for ten years, giving breeders significant time to appropriately scale down their operations and avoid any adverse animal welfare outcomes. These arrangements will apply with additional conditions, including the requirement to comply with the Breeding Code of Practice, submitting an annual breeding plan, and inspection every 2 years.

A limited exemption will be available by application for certain breeders. This exemption will be administered through the Office of Local Government, with a prescribed fee of $550 applying.

Penalty and offence amendments

New offences for breaching the maximum cap of female adult dogs apply from 21 November 2024. For individuals this will provide a maximum of 1,000 penalty units ($110,000), or 2 years imprisonment, or both; and for a corporation, a maximum of 5,000 penalty units ($550,000).  There will also be a penalty notice offence of $1,000 for individuals, and $5,000 for a corporation.

From 1 December 2029, compliance with the Code will be mandatory for all dog breeders, regardless of whether the breeding was intentional or otherwise, or for fee or reward are required to comply with the Breeding Code of Practice.

Any person breeding dog is also required to take steps to ensure all staff members also comply with the Breeding Code of Practice, or relevant provisions of the Breeding Code of Practice for persons breeding dogs.

The Government will consult with stakeholders on the Breeding Code and make any necessary amendments prior to being mandated, to ensure it is fit for purpose for all breeders.

It is important to note that the requirement to comply Breeding Code of Practice continues to apply for those businesses who in the course of which dogs or cats are bred for fee or reward.

Anyone breeding dogs in NSW.

Whether it’s one or several.

Whether intentional or accidental

For certain parts of the legislation some exemptions apply in limited scenarios, such as:

• Racing greyhounds, and
• Assistance dogs, if breeder is:
  • a member of the International Guide Dog Federation, or
  • an accredited member of Assistance Dogs International,
  • Dogs kept by government agencies i.e.  police and correction dogs
• Working dogs that are kept on the land which they are bred will be exempt from getting a BIN.

The new laws do not apply to racing greyhounds, or animal research activities when conducted under an animal research authority.

Yes, the requirement applies to all people who are selling or transferring a dog.

By law, people advertising kittens, cats, puppies or dogs for sale or transfer must include certain information. This includes at least one of the following:

• a microchip number implanted in the animal,
• a relevant breeder identification number, such as a
  • breeder identification number allocated under the Companion Animals Act 1998
  • membership number of a recognised breeder organisation number under the Companion Animals Act 1998
  • identification number of the parent of the animal allocated under the Greyhound Racing Rules for retired racing greyhounds.
• a rehoming organisation number allocated under the Companion Animals Act 1998.

From 1 December 2025 the requirements for dogs are changing. Information required includes:

There are some exceptions to these new arrangements:

• If a dog over the age of 6 months is being sold or transferred, and there is a BIN or RON recorded against the dog’s microchip number in the NSW Pet Register, the dog’s microchip number or BIN or RON can be used.
• If a dog being sold or transferred is under 8 weeks of age the microchip of the female parent may be displayed and be clearly identified as the female parent, instead of the puppy’s microchip
• If the dog being sold is a retired greyhound, the greyhound racing industry participant number allocated under the Greyhound Racing Act 2017 may be used in lieu of a breeder identifier number, requirements for the animals’ microchip number still apply.

One person per 20 dogs on a premises to ensure that each dog receives proper and sufficient care, food and water i.e., feeding, cleaning, and exercising the dog.

Staff includes people working full-time or part-time, being an employee, a volunteer, an owner or manager, or family member of the owner or manager.

Staff must be aged 14 years and over.

Includes every dog over 12 weeks of age, and

For every litter under 12 weeks of age, this accounts for 1 dog.

The Breeding Code requires that all persons who care for and manage dogs must be knowledgeable, competent and aware of their daily responsibilities to provide for:

• The care and welfare of dogs
• The feeding, watering, of dogs
• The protection of dogs from distress or injury caused by other animals or interference by people
• Cleaning and proper hygiene in the premises
• Identifying signs of common diseases.

The Breeding Code also specifies that trainees and volunteers must work under the supervision of trained and experienced assistants or the person in charge of the premises.

Example: a person has 15 female dogs. They each have a litter of 5 dogs. This means there are 15 adult dogs and 15 litters of 5 dogs. This equates to 30 dogs and thus requires 2 staff to be present.

The Breeding Code specifies that all dogs are inspected at least once daily, to check:

• Eating
• Drinking (particularly in the case of puppies drinking milk)
• Defecating
• Urinating
• Behaving normally
• Showing any obvious signs of illness or distress
• Ability to move around freely
• Display of a normal coat.

The Breeding Code also acknowledges that there may be particular times where the breeding female and her puppies may be ill or distressed and may need additional care and supervision. Practically though, the Breeding Code does not require 24 hours a day care.

You need to take action to scale down your business operations or apply for an exemption.

All breeders must comply by 1 December 2025, unless they have been granted an exemption to the maximum number of 20 female adult dogs.

Breeders found in breach of this requirement may be subject to heavy penalties:

• For an individual – 1,000 penalty units ($110,000) or imprisonment for 2 years, or both
• For a corporation – 5,000 ($550,000) penalty units.

The Act sets a maximum number of female adult dogs for existing breeders, that is no breeder can keep more than the number of female adult dogs that were kept on the dog premises immediately before the assent.

Breeders who have more than 20 female adult dogs on premises at the time of assent of the Act can apply for the limited exemption.

Applicants must complete an application and pay a required fee, and

• specify the premises and the number of female adult dogs, and
• include information and supporting evidence.

If an exemption is granted, it will be subject to conditions– namely:

• Must not have been convicted of an animal cruelty offence, extends to any person involved in managing or controlling the business, or staff members on the dog premises
• Must permit an audit and inspection of the dog premises to be conducted in accordance with the regulations and at least once every 2 years
• Must notify changes in respect to convictions within 28 days
• Must submit a report by 31 January each year
• Must not keep more female adult dogs on the premises as notified
• Must comply with the Breeding Code of practice, and
• Must comply with any other conditions that are considered appropriate.

An exemption if granted, will expire on 1 December 2035.

Written approval of a veterinary practitioner, registered under the Veterinary Practice Act 2003, is required.

This approval should be in the form of a veterinary certificate and should certify that another birth will not pose a risk to the dog's health. The existing maximum litter limit will still apply.

Animals used in animal research in NSW are regulated by the Animal Research Act 1985. This Act provides protections for animals used for research, which may include teaching, to protect the welfare of the animals used in connection with the research.

The Act provides a system of accreditation, licencing and authorisation arrangements for organisations and individuals.

The Act provides a limited exemption to the breeding of dogs, that is done in accordance with an animal research authority. This is restricted to only those activities that have been expressively approved under an a ‘animal research authority’ and conducted in accordance with the directions of an animal care and ethics committee.

When a dog bred for animal research purposes is rehomed, it will need to be registered under the Companion Animals Act 1998, unless it falls within a specific exemption under that Act.

This exemption recognises the regulatory framework established by the Greyhound Racing Act 2017.

That means racing greyhounds will be exempt. Racing greyhounds are greyhounds that are owned and kept:

• in connection with greyhound racing, or
• by a greyhound racing industry participant registered under the Greyhound Racing Act 2017.

Existing advertising requirements under POCTAA for racing greyhounds will continue to apply (ie, where they are only required to provide one identifying number in an advertisement).

A working dog is a dog, and its health and welfare are not judged any differently to any other dog – working or not.

Basic standards need to be met.

A limited exemption applies, that acknowledges the important role that working dogs play in the agricultural industry.

Farmers breeding working dogs primarily used for livestock purposes on that farm – will be exempted only from obtaining a Breeder Identification Number (BIN).

All other provisions within the Act, such as staff to animal ratios, maximum cap, and lifetime litter limits continue to apply.

Farmers breeding dogs to sell, transfer, or give away must comply with all provisions within the Act, including getting a BIN.

Significant public consultation has been conducted over several years.

There have been:

• 3 inquiries—the 2011 Companion Animal Taskforce, the 2015 Joint Select Committee on Companion Animal Breeding Practices, and the 2022 Select Committee on Puppy Farming in NSW, and
• 2 Private Members Bills introduced in 2021 and 2024, and
• a public discussion paper consultation process, including an online survey that had 6,000 respondents in late 2021.

Feedback from these processes has informed the Act.

Targeted consultation on the proposed measures was conducted across the sector, from May – August 2024. This included the Animal Welfare Advisory Council, POCTAA enforcement agencies, dog breeders and others across the sector.

No impact is expected on the rates of adoption because of the Act.

The Act will provide for safe and appropriate breeding practices for dogs.

Rehoming organisations are seeing unprecedented levels of demand.

Several shelters and pounds are currently close to full, as noted in the recent Legislative Council Pounds in NSW Inquiry Report.

There is ample supply over the foreseeable future to provide a new safe home for a dog or puppy.

Longer term, the Act aims to reduce the rate of surrender of excessively bred pups in NSW.

No concerns on these were raised during targeted consultation.