Overview of the animal welfare codes of practice

Codes of practice

The codes of practice for animal welfare listed below are made under either the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act 1986 (POCTA Act) or the Domestic Animals Act 1994 (DA Act).

Codes of practice set out recommended minimum standards and practices for the keeping of a wide range of species and animal related activities. They should be read in conjunction with other relevant legislation such as the DAA and POCTA Acts.

The requirements of all DA Act codes are mandatory.

Most POCTA Act codes are advisory only — unless made mandatory through specific recognition in legislation. Compliance with the provisions of POCTA codes can provide a defence to a prosecution under the POCTA Act.

Mandatory codes or standards are marked with an asterix*.

A range of Australian Animal Welfare Standards and Guidelines for livestock are in development at a national level. It is anticipated that Australian standards and guidelines agreed to by Victoria will be adopted through the new proposed Animal Welfare Act. This legislation is currently under development.

Amphibians

This code outlines the welfare needs of amphibians kept in aquaria:

• Code of Practice for the Welfare of Amphibians in Captivity

Birds

This code outlines the welfare needs of caged birds, other than poultry:

• Code of Practice for the Housing of Caged Birds

Cats

This code outlines the welfare needs of cats:

• Code of Practice for the Private Keeping of Cats

Cattle

This code outlines the welfare needs of cattle:

• Code of Accepted Farming Practice for the Welfare of Cattle

Deer

This code outlines the welfare needs of deer kept in captivity:

• Code of Accepted Farming Practice for the Welfare of Deer

Dogs

These codes relate to dog ownership, debarking, restricted breeds, training establishment and racing. All, except for the private keeping code, are mandatory:

• Standard for Restricted Breed Dogs in Victoria*
• Code of Practice for the Debarking of Dogs*
• Code of Practice for the Operation of Dog Training Establishments*
• Code of Practice for the Keeping of Racing Greyhounds*
• Code of Practice for the Private Keeping of Dogs

Dogs and cats

These mandatory codes relate to the operation of boarding establishments, breeding and rearing businesses and the management of dogs and cats in shelters and pounds:

• Code of Practice for the Operation of Boarding Establishments*
• Code of Practice for the Operation of Breeding and Rearing Businesses (Revision 1)*
• Code of Practice for the Management of Dogs and Cats in Shelters and Pounds*

Emus

This code outlines the welfare needs of all emus in captivity:

• Code of Practice for the Husbandry of Captive Emus (Revision 1)

Electronic collars

This mandatory code specifies the requirements when training a dog or cat to the use of an electronic collar:

• The Code of Practice for the Training of Dogs and Cats to Wear Electronic Collars*

Exhibition of animals

This code outlines the welfare needs of wildlife and exotic animals held in confinement in zoos, wildlife parks, circuses and travelling exhibitions:

• Code of Practice for the Public Display and Exhibition of Animals

Film animals

This code outlines the welfare needs of animals in the production of films for cinemas, television, recreational or educational purposes, including features, documentaries, serials, videos and advertising commercials:

• Code of Practice for the Welfare of Film Animals

Goats

This code outlines the welfare needs of all goats:

• Code of Practice for the Welfare of Goats

Heritable defects

The Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act 1986 sets out offences for intentionally or recklessly breeding an animal with a heritable defect that causes disease as listed in the Act. This code sets out the mandatory requirements for prescribed diseases and recommended practice for responsible breeding of animals with other heritable defects:

• Code of Practice for the Responsible Breeding of animals with Heritable Defects that Cause Disease* (mandatory for prescribed diseases)

Horses

Codes of practice for the welfare of horses, horses competing at bush races and horses at hire establishments:

• Code of Practice for the Welfare of Horses (Revision 1)
• Code of Practice for the Welfare of Horses Competing at Bush Race Meetings (Revision 1)
• Code of Practice for the Welfare of Horses at Horse Hire Establishments

Hunting

Codes of practice relating to the welfare of animals in hunting and on private game reserves licenced to hunt game birds:

• Code of Practice for the Welfare of Animals in Hunting (Revision 1)
• Code of Practice for the Welfare of Animals on Private Game Reserves Licensed to Hunt Game Birds

Pet Shops

This mandatory code specifies the requirements for people who operate or who work in pet shops:

• Code of Practice for the Operation of Pet Shops*

Pigs

The Pig Welfare Standards outlines the welfare needs for pigs:

• Pig Welfare Standards and Guidelines*

Poultry

This code outlines the welfare needs for poultry:

• Code of Accepted Farming Practice for the Welfare of Poultry

Rabbits

This code outlines the welfare needs for domestic-type rabbits in intensive husbandry production systems:

• Code of Practice for the Intensive Husbandry of Rabbits

Reptiles

This code outlines the welfare needs for private keeping of reptiles:

• Code of practice for the welfare of animals: private keeping of reptiles

Saleyards

This code outlines the welfare needs for animals at saleyards:

• Code of Practice for the Welfare of Animals at Saleyards

Scientific procedures

These mandatory codes relate to the use of animals for scientific procedures and purposes, as well as the housing and care of these animals:

• Australian Code of Practice for the Care and Use of Animals for Scientific Purposes*
• Code of Practice for the Housing and Care of Laboratory Mice, Rats, Guinea Pigs and Rabbits*

Sheep

This code outlines the welfare needs for sheep:

• Code of Accepted Farming Practice for the Welfare of Sheep (Revision 2)

Tethering animals

This code outlines the welfare needs for tethered animals:

• Code of Practice for the Tethering of Animals

Transportation

These documents outline requirements relating to the welfare needs for livestock during transport:

• Land Transport Standards*
• Animal Welfare Guidance Document for the Transport of Livestock across Bass Strait (PDF - 381.1 KB)
• Animal Welfare Guidance Document for the Transport of Livestock across Bass Strait (WORD - 121.0 KB)

Wildlife

This code outlines the welfare needs for animals undergoing all stages of wildlife rehabilitation:

• Code of Practice for the Welfare of Wildlife During Rehabilitation