Authorised Pet Rehoming Organisation scheme

The Authorised Pet Rehoming Organisation (APRO) scheme starts on 10 April 2027.

It is established under the Domestic Animals Amendment (Rehoming Cats and Dogs and Other Matters) Act 2025 (RCAD Act), which amends the Domestic Animals Act 1994.

What is the APRO scheme?

The APRO scheme allows eligible pet rehoming organisations to apply to the Victorian Government to become an authorised animal rehoming organisation (APRO). APROs will receive various benefits, including:

• a no-cost Pet Exchange Register source number valid for the 3-year period of their authorisation (renewable)
• exemption from registering cats and dogs under their management or direction with relevant local councils for up to 12 months
• ability to hold cat and dog adoption events at prescribed domestic animal businesses (DABs) without an animal sale permit
• access to the online Victorian Declared Dog Registry (VDDR) to check if a dog has been declared menacing, dangerous or a restricted breed.

A new online Pet Rehoming Register will be developed to support the administration of the APRO scheme including the reporting of animal fate data. Registered pounds and shelters will also be able to access the Pet Rehoming Register to report animal fate data.

The current Foster Carer Registration (FCR) scheme will end on 10 April 2028.

The APRO scheme is the first step in building a formal framework for Victoria’s pet rehoming sector.

Q&A on the APRO scheme

For more information about the APRO scheme, see Authorised Pet Rehoming Organisation scheme – questions and answers.