Domestic animal legislation

Act and regulations

Animal Welfare legislation

• Victorian Codes of Practice for Animal Welfare
• Prevention of Cruelty to Animals legislation

Domestic Animals Act 1994

Read the Domestic Animals Act 1994.

Domestic Animals Regulations

Read the Domestic Animals Regulations 2015.

Governing Orders

The Governor in Council may make Orders by publishing in the Government Gazette exemptions of any animal or class of animal to be exempt from any or all of the provisions of the Act.

These are the published Orders currently in place:

• Exemption Order for Greyhound Racing Victoria (GRV) Greyhounds from sections 12B(a) and 12C(a) of the Domestic Animals Act 1994 regarding advertising requirements — GRV Greyhound Pet Exchange Register Exemption Order (WORD - 22.1 KB) ,  GRV Greyhound Pet Exchange Register Exemption Order (PDF, Gazette website)
• Exemption order for the GAP Greyhounds sold through the Greyhound Adoption Program from the operation of Section 45, 63A and 96 of the Domestic Animals Act 1994 exempting the program from the requirement to hold GAP greyhound sales within the domestic animal business registered premises — Greyhound - GAP Animal Sales Exemption Order
• Exemption Order for owners of racing greyhounds exempting these dogs from the requirement to register racing Greyhounds with Council — Greyhound - Exemption Order
• Exemption Order for Greyhound Adoption Dogs exempting these dogs from the requirement to wear muzzles in public places — Greyhound - GAP Exemption Order
• Exemption Order for 'Lost Dogs Home' from the operation of Section 63A of Domestic Animals Act exempting the Lost Dogs home from the operation of Section 63A of Domestic Animals Act in relation to compliance with the provision under clause 2.3.6 of the Code of Practice for the Management of Dogs and Cats in Shelters and Pounds — Lost Dogs Home - Exemption Order 01-02-02 (WORD - 21.1 KB) ,  Lost Dogs Home - Exemption Order 01-02-02 (PDF, Gazette website)
• Exemption Order for Imported Schutzhund trained dogs exempting imported Schutzhund trained German Shepherds from section 10A(4)(a), section 40, and section 41(1) of the Domestic Animals Act — Imported Schutzhund trained German Shepherds Order 31-3-09 (WORD - 22.3 KB) , Imported Schutzhund trained German Shepherds Order 31-3-09 (PDF, Gazette website)

Notice of approval of Guide Dog Training Organisations — there has been a new Gazettal for the 'Approval of Guide Dog Training Organisations'.

The new Gazettal, published in the Victoria Government Gazette, on 14 March 2013 replaces the previous 'Approval' dated 14 March 1996. The change reflects the current business names of the operating organisations (Guide Dogs Victoria and Vision Australia Seeing Eye Dogs).

• In addition to the new 'Approval' the Minister has provided the Approved Guide Dog Organisations with an exemption from the requirements of being a domestic animal business and from the requirements of section 96 of the Domestic Animals Act, 1994.
• Notices of Approved Applicable Organisations – Notice of Declaration of Applicable Organisations
• Exemption Order for the Scientific Establishments from registering dogs and cats – Exemption Order
• Exemption Order from the Victorian Animal Aid Trust from Specific operation of 63A – Exemption Order

Prescribed  Requirements

The Secretary of the department has the power to require certain experience or qualifications to provide services under the Act.

These are the published prescribed requirements currently in place:

• Notice of prescribed qualifications for non-Council employees to be Authorised Officers — Prescribed Qualifications for Non-Council Employees to be Authorised (WORD - 20.2 KB) , Prescribed Qualifications for Non-Council Employees to be Authorised (PDF, Gazette website)
• Approved qualifications for people to become Authorised Implanters to implant microchips into dogs and cats — Microchip Authorised Implanter Approved Qualifications (WORD - 22.7 KB) , Microchip Authorised Implanter Approved Qualifications (PDF, Gazette website)