RSPCA Tasmania welcomes ‘long-overdue’ puppy farm crackdown but urges even tougher laws

Major changes to Tasmania’s dog welfare laws will give RSPCA unprecedented access to breeding facilities, but the peak body says more reforms are needed to prevent future puppy farm horrors.

Primary industries minister Gavin Pearce and staff and Montrose Vet Centre. Picture: Supplied

RSPCA Tasmania CEO Andrea Dawkins has welcomed “long‑overdue” reforms to dog welfare legislation, while encouraging the Tasmanian Government to go further and position the state as a national leader on canine welfare.

Ms Dawkins said the organisation was broadly supportive of the Government’s Dog Welfare Legislation Position Paper and that the reforms would enable closer collaboration with dog control officers at local councils.

“Now, we have to rely on the goodwill of the public,” Ms Dawkins said.

“We have to do online research and we rely on calls to the animal cruelty helpline to know where dogs are being bred.

“But now that we’ve got that access to regulators, we’ll have a very clear picture of where dogs are being bred and we can then make those inspections we need to make to keep those animals on track and healthy.”

Primary industries minister Gavin Pearce, RSPCA CEO Andrea Dawkins and the staff at Montrose Vet Centre. Picture: Supplied

She strongly welcomed the removal of carve‑outs for greyhounds, working dogs, hunting dogs and Dogs Tasmania members, with all dogs to be protected under the same regulatory standards.

“We are pleased to see strong alignment in areas such as breeding caps, housing standards, and the removal of exemptions. These changes will significantly improve animal welfare outcomes across the state,” Ms Dawkins said.

“However, the reforms could go further. Use of shock collars continues to place dogs at risk. Tasmania has an opportunity to be a national leader in dog welfare — but only if we adopt best‑practice standards.”

“Our experience closing one of Tasmania’s largest puppy farms demonstrates the gaps in our current system. We must ensure these reforms deliver meaningful, enforceable protections so that a case like that never happens again.”

In late 2024, the Department of Natural Resources and Environment Tasmania (NRE Tas) initiated a public consultation process to gather stakeholder and community views on potential amendments to the Animal Welfare (Dogs) Regulations 2016 and the Dog Control Act 2000, following the closure of Tasmania’s largest puppy farm due to animal welfare concerns.

More than 250 puppies have been surrendered to the RSPCA after the shutdown of Tasmania's biggest puppy farm. The permanent and immediate closure of Tasmanian Labradoodles. Picture: Facebook

According to NRE Tas, the consultation attracted 293 submissions from a broad range of stakeholders, including individual dog owners, animal welfare organisations, industry representatives and the general public.

Minister for Primary Industries and Water, Gavin Pearce, said the reforms are crucial to the ongoing welfare of dogs in Tasmania.

“We’ve all heard the horror stories of malpractice in puppy farms,” Minister Pearce said.

“It’s downright unacceptable, and our Government says no more.

“These strengthened regulations are a big step forward to put an end to the puppy farms.”

Mr Pearce also announced a $400,000 Vet Attraction Package to support vets with child and family care needs, and assist fifth‑ and final‑year veterinary students to complete placements in Tasmania.