Gold Coast City Council
Breeder Permit Pilot Project
for the Queensland Government
Geoff Irwin, Coordinator Animal Management GCCC
Protect, Educate & Prevent
The History
2006 Qld Govt decided to act to prevent high numbers of unwanted cats
and dogs being euthanased in pounds and shelters in Qld (est.
30 000 per year – 20 000 cats approx half kittens)
2007 Discussion Paper – public strongly in favour of registration,
microchipping, and desexing legislation
UQ Research Early Age Desexing – safe for kittens from 8 weeks
2008
• Animal Management Cats and Dogs Act – compulsory registration and
microchipping at point of sale
• Pet Shop Code of Practice (voluntary)
2009/10
• Qld Govt Pilot Projects - 4 Local Govts to trial desexing strategies
• GCCC – Developed Legislation for Breeder Permits with Standards in a
Code of Practice (including requirement to desex kittens prior to sale or
transfer (unless to a permitted breeder)
2
Why have breeder permits been introduced
as a model for State Government?
 To set the standard of what it acceptable for socially responsible breeding
 To deter people from unplanned breeding (can be fined if breeding without a
permit) and provide an incentive to desex their cats (desexing subsidies
available to help)
To prevent unwanted kittens handed in to pounds and shelters
 To ensure that if cats do wander or are abandoned by their owners, at least
they will be desexed i.e. not add to stray and feral numbers
 To enable consumers to identify responsible cat and dog breeders who
ensure the health, safety and well-being of their breeding cats and kittens
What does a breeder permit involve?
 Cat or dog breeders (commercial, hobby, purebreed or cross-breed) now require a permit in
order to comply with new legislation.
 In order to obtain a breeder permit breeders
must comply with the minimum standards as set
out in the Code of Practice.
 All breeders are required to identify their animals
with a micro-chip prior to sale or transfer.
 All kittens must be desexed prior to sale or
transfer.
 Breeders must include their permit number when
advertising kittens for sale.
Process for issuing of breeder permits
1. Breeders submit an ‘Application for animal
breeder permit’ form and application fee
2. GCCC officers arrange an inspection to
ensure compliance with the minimum
standards as set out in the Code of Practice
3. Approved animal breeders receive a
‘Certificate of Approval’ and a Permit Number
Application for animal breeder permit
 $369 for a 3 year permit.
 This covers the cost of a Council officer to visit
the breeder, ascertain compliance with the Code
of Practice, do the processing of the paperwork,
and maintain records.
 Maximum of four breeding animals are to be
kept at the property at any one time for the
purpose of mating.
 An additional four non-breeding animals can
also be kept on the property.
GCCC Inspection
 GCCC officers arrange an inspection
to ensure compliance with the
minimum standards as set out in the
Code of Practice.
 GCCC officers work with breeders to
assist with meeting the minimum
standards, where applicable.
Approved Animal Breeder
 Issued with Certificate of Approval which
details breeding animals and provides the
official permit number.
 Amendments to the permit can be made
anytime during its effective period.
 Gold Coast breeders must include their
breeder permit number in advertisements
for the sale of kittens.
Information Sessions
 Separate meetings for cat and dog breeders
and non-pure breed breeders
 Explanation of the history, purpose and
process
 Representatives of Breed organisations
presented their perspectives
 Addressed concerns i.e. regarding pet limits
 Opportunity to submit question cards so
breeders could remain anonymous if they
wished
Questions?
Gold Coast City Council
PO Box 5042 Gold Coast MC Qld 9729
Ph: 5581 6664
Web: goldcoastcity.com.au
sc