Page title

The Stop Puppy Farming legislation, which also includes reforms to de-muzzle greyhounds, involves changes to the Dog Act 1976 that minimise the number of dogs suffering neglect and requiring rehoming by regulating the breeding and sale of dogs in WA.

The proposed new laws include:

• mandatory sterilisation of dogs by two years of age unless exempt
• the transition of pet shops into adoption centres
• a centralised registration system to hold information on dogs, cats and approved breeders, to assist with monitoring and enforcement
• the de-muzzling of pet greyhounds.

The centralised registration system will streamline the registration of dogs across Western Australia.

Everyone will be able to register their dog and cats online, and easily transfer registration if they move between local governments. The system will replace the many individual systems currently managed by each local government, streamlining the registration and tracking of dogs across the State.

Also, when purchasing a dog from any dog owner, breeder or approved pet shop in Western Australia, information must be provided to consumers that may assist them in determining whether the dog has been ethically bred and raised.

A public awareness campaign will inform the community about when the provisions will come into effect.

More information about the proposed laws