New rules about puppies and kittens being sold in pet shops to come into force

PUPPIES and kittens from pet shops are in danger of being sold privately online with little traceability when new legislation surrounding their sale comes into force on Sunday, animal advocates say.

PUPPIES in pet shops are in danger of being sold privately online with little traceability when new legislation surrounding the sale of pets comes into force on Sunday, animal advocates say.

Under sweeping reforms passed by the state government last year, pet shops will be banned from selling puppies and kittens unless sourced from a registered pound or shelter.

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But despite having more than six months to prepare for the new laws, several shops across Melbourne are still advertising puppies for sale in-store and online just days before the legislation comes into effect.

Lisa Alford from the RSPCA with dog Bailey. Picture: Jake Nowakowski

Oscar’s Law founder Debra Tranter said pet store owners had been given plenty of notice to prepare.

“They should have stopped ordering these puppies months ago,” she said.

Ms Tranter said it was unlikely these stores would be surrendering thousands of dollars worth of puppies to shelters and believed many would end up online instead making it difficult for buyers to track their origins.

Ms Tranter urged people to report all stores selling puppies after Sunday saying “it will be the public that will be the biggest help enforcing these changes”.

RSPCA inspectors have vowed to visit 20 stores across the state on Monday in a bid to stamp out the illegal activity and ensure these new laws are complied with and effective from day one.

RSPCA inspectors have vowed to visit 20 stores across the state on Monday. Picture: Jake Nowakowski

Head of Prevention at RSPCA Victoria Sophie Buchanan said it was a fantastic step forward and encouraged Victorians to consider ‘adopt not shop.’

“We welcome this legislation as we believe it will provide a great opportunity for shelter animals and older animals in need of a home to be adopted,” she said.

Agriculture minister Jaala Pulford said the reforms would “permanently break the link between pet shops and breeders”.

“Victorians can now feel confident when purchasing from a pet shop that their new family member is not from a cruel or barbaric factory farm,” Ms Pulford said.

The reforms would “permanently break the link between pet shops and breeders,” the state government says. Picture: Jake Nowakowski

The Domestic Animal Act amendment also introduced limits on the number of fertile female dogs breeders can keep and new definitions for recreational breeders and microbreeders.

A Pet Exchange Register will also be launched in July next year and will require all advertisements to contain source and microchip numbers — allowing owners to know exactly where their new pet has come from.