Code of Practice for the Operation of Breeding and Rearing Businesses (2014)
Are you a breeder?
Ownership is defined in the Domestic
Animals Act 1994 as a person who
keeps or harbours an animal or has
the animal in his or her care for the
time being.
Do you own 3 or more
fertile female dogs or cats
and the sell the puppies or
kittens bred from them?
Local Laws may specify how
many dogs and cats may be
kept on a premise before you
require an excess animal permit
Sell includes barter or exchange and
also agreeing to sell or offering or
exposing for sale or keeping or having
in possession for sale
Yes:
No:
Are you a member of a
Victorian Applicable
Organisation?
You must comply with the
Code of Practice for the
Private Keeping of Cats or
Dogs
No
Victoria has 6 Applicable
Organisations
Australian National Cats Inc.,
DOGS Victoria, Cats Victoria Inc.,
Feline Control Council of Victoria
Inc., Greyhound Racing Victoria,
The Governing Council of the Cat
Fancy Victoria.
Yes:
Are more than 2 animals NOT
registered with the
Applicable Organisation? **
** Example:
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3 fertile females – at least 1 must be
registered with AO
4 fertile females – at least 2 must be
registered with AO
5 fertile females – at least 3 must be
registered with AO
6 fertile females – at least 4 must be
registered with AO
7 fertile females – at least 5 must be
registered with AO
8 fertile females – at least 6 must be
registered with AO
9 fertile females – at least 7 must be
registered with AO
No:
YES
You MUST be
registered with
Council as a Domestic
Animal Business Breeding
Do you have 10 or more
fertile female dogs or
cats?
No:
Small Breeder
You must comply with the
Code of Practice for the
Private Keeping of Cats or
Dogs
3-5 fertile animals
Dogs
Cats
CoP Sections 1,2,3,4,5
CoP Sections 1,2,3,4,5,
Yes:
6(1)-6(5d)
7(1)-7(5c)
You MUST be registered with
Council as a Domestic Animal
Business - Breeding
More than 9 fertile females, or more than 2
NOT registered with an AO, means the
business will be regarded as a DAB and
must register with council and comply with
the mandatory breeding code.
Large Breeder
6+ fertile animals
Dogs
Cats
CoP Sections 1,2,3,4,5
CoP Sections 1,2,3,4,5
6(1)-6(5c), 6(5e)
7(1)-7(5b), 7(5d)
Working Dog Breeder
CoP Sections 1,2,3,4,5,
6(1)-6(3), 6(6)
July 2015 version