Rules Re Housing Of Dogs In Victoria

[BDJ]

Hi guys,

There is a lot of emotion on the other thread, and references to what the different requirements are for housing.

Can someone please provide info on what the rules are - who made them, councils, ANKC, etc. Who is governed by these rules? If dogs need to be kenneled, what are the times etc

(from what I can piece together new regulations have been introduced which outline that dogs need to sleep in kennels with concrete floors, cant sleep in the house, etc, etc)

I am not in Vic, just trying to understand what the rules are.

Please don't bring the other thread in to this - I am not trying to agree, disagree, condone, condemn or whatever.

I am simply trying to understand what people who have a number dogs must do to comply with the regulations.

thanks

[The Spotted Devil]

http://www.dpi.vic.gov.au/pets/about-pets/legislation-and-regulation/domestic-animal-businesses/operation-of-breeding-establishments

These are state regulations:

Code of Practice For The Operation of Breeding and Rearing Establishments

Note Number: AG1011

Published: May 2002

Updated: April 2009

Breeding and Rearing Code Survey

Have your say on the content of the revised Breeding and Rearing Code Survey. Complete this survey between midday April 12 and COB April 27 by clicking on the link or email the Bureau of Animal Welfare on [email protected] to receive a hard copy.

1 Introduction

This Code is made under the provisions of Section 59 of Division 4 of the Domestic Animals Act 1994 (The Act).

The purpose of the Code is to specify the minimum standards of accommodation, management and care which are appropriate to the physical and behavioural needs of dogs and cats housed in breeding and rearing establishments.

The Code and its provisions are to be observed by owners and operators ("the proprietor") and by the people who work in kennels and catteries that are required to be registered as Domestic Animal Businesses under the Act. All breeding and rearing establishments must comply with State and Local Government legislation and permits.

Breeding and rearing establishments are required to display the guarantee defined in Section 3.3 of this code in a prominent position on the wall of the reception area where animals are sold.

2 Staff

2.1 Manager

The proprietor of a breeding and rearing establishment is responsible for the overall management and conduct of the facility and for the welfare of the animals. In particular, the proprietor is responsible for:

the well-being of all animals in the establishment;

ensuring that each animal is able to be accurately identified;

the supervision of staff;

the maintenance and collation of records and statistics;

supervision of daily feeding, watering and inspection of all animals;

the overall level of hygiene in the establishment, including the disposal of waste materials;

provision of prompt veterinary attention for animals when required.

2.2 Veterinarian

Each establishment must have a written agreement with sufficient veterinarians to be on call for the treatment of animals other than first aid and for humane euthanasia where an overdose of barbiturate is used.

2.3 Animal Attendants

The proprietor of a breeding and rearing establishment must train or employ experienced personnel for the handling and management of animals.

Animal attendants are responsible to the proprietor for:

daily feeding, watering and inspection of all animals;

daily cleaning of facilities, ie. hose out, replace bedding, litter trays, feeding and watering utensils;

reporting of sick or injured animals to the Manager.

2.4 Staff Health

The proprietor must ensure that staff health is protected by the provision of appropriate work clothing, adequate hand washing facilities and tetanus immunisation. Information must be supplied on diseasecausing organisms which can be transmitted to humans (zoonoses) and personal hygiene procedures must be such that transmission should not occur.

All personnel working with cats, especially women of child-bearing age, must be made aware of the risk of contracting toxoplasmosis.

3 Husbandry

3.1 Nutrition

All adult dogs and cats must be fed a minimum of once a day.

Puppies and kittens less than four months of age must be fed a minimum of three times daily, provided animals are not left without food for a maximum of twelve hours, and between four and six months of age must be fed twice daily with a nutritionally balanced diet.

The food provided must contain acceptable nutritive values in sufficient quantity to meet appropriate daily requirements for the condition and size of the animal. All animals must have a permanent supply of fresh, clean water.

Food and water containers must be non spillable and of a design that can be easily cleaned and does not cause injury to the animals.

3.2 Vaccination and health care of breeding animals

The proprietor must ensure that in the twelve months prior to breeding, all dogs must be fully vaccinated against distemper, hepatitis and parvovirus. Vaccination against canine cough and checking for heartworm infection is recommended prior to mating.

All cats must be fully vaccinated against feline infectious enteritis and feline respiratory disease in the twelve months prior to breeding. All breeding queens and stud toms must be tested negative for Feline Leukaemia Virus (Fe-LV) in two blood tests at least three months apart before being used for breeding. Fe-LV free breeding stock must not share accommodation with untested, partially tested or Fe-LV positive cats.

Dogs and cats must be placed on an effective worming program for gastrointestinal worms particularly before breeding, during gestation and until weaning.

Facilities must be available either at the breeding and rearing establishment or at veterinary premises for isolation of animals that are suspected of, or have been diagnosed as having an infectious condition. Bitches must be at least twelve months of age before being mated and a bitch must not have more than two litters in any eighteen month period. Queens must be at least nine months of age before being mated and must not have more than two litters in any twelve month period.

3.3 Sale of Puppies and Kittens

The proprietor must ensure that all dogs and cats sold must have a current vaccination certificate signed by a veterinarian stating that the animal has been vaccinated in accordance with the instructions of the manufacturers of the vaccine administered. Puppies and kittens must be vaccinated at least fourteen days prior to sale to cover the following:

Puppies

canine distemper

infectious canine hepatitis

Kittens

infectious feline enteritis

feline respiratory disease (Cat flu)

The vaccination certificate must indicate the next date for further vaccination and any obvious physical defects. No animal with a potentially life threatening defect that is apparent at the time should be sold. All animals offered for sale must be weaned and fully self sufficient.

Minimum age of animals for sale must be:

Puppies

8 Weeks

Kittens

8 Weeks

No animal suspected of being sick injured or diseased may be sold. All animals must be free of external parasites and puppies and kittens must have been treated for internal worms in accordance with the instructions of the manufacturer of the anthelmintic used for the treatment.

New owners must be given literature about feeding, desexing, parasite control, health - including procedures for emergency treatment during the guarantee period, housing and responsible pet ownership including current legislation covering the registration of pet animals. They must also be encouraged to seek advice about problems with the pets from veterinarians and other people with experience in animal care and management.

GUARANTEE

If an animal is unacceptable to a new owner because of health, or other reasons that are supported by a statement from a veterinarian, within seven days of purchase, the establishment must take the animal back and refund all monies or offer a replacement animal of the same breed and comparable quality with the same guarantee. If an animal is returned within three days for any other reason, the establishment will refund 75% of the purchase price or offer a replacement animal with the same guarantee. If the animal dies or is euthanased from a disease that is traceable to the point of sale, the establishment must refund the purchase price or offer a replacement animal with the same guarantee.

3.4 Hygiene

The proprietor must ensure that the establishment is to be clear and hygienic at all times. All pens must be cleaned out at least once per day (twice daily if inspection shows it is required) by hosing or other appropriate means after removing all used, contaminated bedding and litter and all uneaten food by hand before hosing, to ensure the pen is fresh and clean. Used litter and uneaten food must be placed in sealed plastic bags for disposal.

Animal breeding and rearing establishment sites must have an adequate water supply and must be sewered or on a septic system, or have some other adequate method of disposing of faeces.

Waste disposal must be in accordance with the requirements of the local government authority. Use of a trade waste service for collection and disposal of wastes is preferable. Wastes must not be incinerated.

After cleaning, sleeping areas must not be allowed to remain wet.

Cats must be provided with clean litter trays daily and litter trays must be disinfected regularly. Sufficient suitable litter material, such as commercial cat litter, sawdust or shredded paper must be provided. Disinfection of pens and cages must be done prior to whelping or queening with hospital grade disinfectants and again after the young have been removed. Utensils must be rinsed after disinfecting to avoid poisoning. Phenol must not be used for cats. Manufacturer's instructions for the use of these agents must be followed, since too dilute a solution maybe ineffective and too concentrated a solution may be toxic to animals.

All watering and feeding utensils must be cleaned daily.

Pests including fleas, ticks, flies, mosquitoes and rodents must be effectively controlled. Chemicals used for pest control must be either prescribed by a registered veterinarian and/or registered by the National Registration Authority (NRA) under the Agriculture and Veterinary Chemicals Code (Commonwealth).

3.5 Exercise

Dogs housed in pens of the minimum recommended size must be exercised. Dogs in enclosures larger than twenty square metres do not normally require additional exercise however it is important that animals are socialised and provided with an environmental enrichment program. Care must be taken to ensure that dogs being exercised are not in danger of attack or other injury.

Exercise can be provided by:

allowing dogs access to an exercise area for at least 10 minutes twice daily; and/or

walking dogs on a lead for at least 10 minutes twice daily.

Very active or old dogs may require more or less exercise than specified.

3.6 Security

Kennel and cattery buildings must be able to be securely locked.

Each individual kennel, module or colony pen must be fitted with a secure closing device that cannot be opened by the animals.

Any security methods used must allow for ready access to animals and ready exit for staff and animals from the premises in the event of an emergency.

All breeding and rearing establishments must have an external perimeter fence at least 1.8 metres high surrounding the establishment to prevent the escape of animals. The external walls of the facility may serve as the perimeter fence if an animal escaping from its pen or cage is restrained by these walls.

Design and materials used must ensure the security of the facility.

Dogs and cats in breeding and rearing establishments must be safe from attack, stress or injury and their behavioural needs should be met.

3.7 Housing

Catteries and kennels must be designed, constructed, serviced and maintained in a way that ensures the good health and well being of the animals, whilst preventing escape or injury to humans. Housing must provide protection from the weather (wind, rain, sun and extremes of climate), vermin and harassment from other animals.

Materials should be selected for ease of maintenance and cleaning, durability and non-toxicity. Floors of animal housing areas of catteries and kennels must be made of an impervious material to assist cleaning and drainage. Wood, brick, dirt or grass floors are not acceptable except in exercise areas.

The internal surfaces of the external walls of catteries and kennels must be constructed of impervious solid, washable materials optimally curved at the wall/floor junctions to facilitate cleaning and disinfection.

Kennel and cattery floors must be sloped to enable wastes and water to run off. A collection drain must be provided to take away water after cleaning. Pens maybe separated by either solid partitions, galvanised chain wire or weld mesh wire dividers. All kennels must be provided with a weatherproof sleeping area containing raised beds constructed of a material other than concrete, such as wood or plastic.

Where dog kennels are constructed indoors, temperature, humidity and ventilation must be considered. Ventilation must be adequate to keep animal housing areas free of dampness, noxious odours and draughts. Cage or pen areas must have an ample supply of fresh air.

Note: In totally enclosed buildings where forced ventilation is the only form of air, the following is required:

an air change rate of 8-12 changes per hour to prevent the build up of foul odours;

ventilation devices must avoid draughts and distribute fresh air evenly to all of the boarding areas;

temperature must be maintained in the range of 18-21°C;\

air recirculation units incorporating effective air cleaning and filtration to ensure the removal of infectious organisms and chemicals;

a back-up and alarm system in case of power failures or breakdown of ventilation and temperature control mechanisms.

Cats need as much fresh air as possible while providing protection from the elements and wire mesh should be the major feature of a cattery.

Cats must be provided with bedding and any bedding provided for animals must be changed frequently and kept clean and dry. Facilities for cats must be physically separated from dog facilities.

3.8 Minimum Pen Sizes

(a) Dogs (Table 1)

Under no circumstances can more than two dogs be housed in the one pen.

Note: The minimum pen sizes are for one adult dog (older than 16 weeks) or one bitch and a litter up to eight weeks of age.

One third of the area of each pen must be weatherproof and include raised sleeping quarters. Individual sleeping quarters must be provided when two adult dogs are housed in the one pen. The identification number of each dog housed in each pen must be clearly displayed on the pen.

(b) Cats (Table 2)

Cats may be housed in walk-in modules, that include a sleeping compartment and an exercise area, or in colony pens.

Walk-in modules must have a minimum floor area of 1.5 square metres and contain at least two levels including raised sleeping quarters. This size is for one cat only and an additional one square metre floor space is required for a second cat. No more than two cats may be housed together in this type of accommodation.

Cats may be multiple housed in colony pens. Each cat must have a floor area of two square metres and an individual raised sleeping area. A maximum of four cats may be housed in each pen. Community cat pens should incorporate a scratching pole and be designed to provide cats with at least two levels joined by a climbing plank.

Note: The minimum area is for one animalexcept in the case of a queen and her unweaned kittens.

The identification number of each cat contained in each pen must be clearly displayed on the pen.

Table 1

Height of Dog at Shoulder (Cms) Minimum Area (Sq.m) Minimum Width (Cms) Minimum Height (Cms) Increased floor area for each pup between 8 and 16 weeks of age (Sq.m)

70 and above 15 240 180 1.5

40 to 70 10 180 180 1

Below 40 7 120 180 0.5

Table 2

Cat Minimum Area (Sq.m) Minimum Width (Cms) Minimum Height (Cms)

Tom 1.5 90 180

Queen 1.5 90 180

Queen and Kittens 1.5 90 180

Kitten 8 to 16 Weeks 1.5 90 180

4 Records

The proprietor of the establishment shall ensure that the following details are recorded and retained for five years:

the name and identification number of each animal over six months of age;

a description of each animal over six months including;

sex and whether the animal is entire or desexed

breed type

colour

birth date

distinguishing features

dates of vaccination and matching Vaccination Certificates

heartworm treatment (dogs)

details of each litter bred including;

name of dam, breed, Council registration details, date of birth and any other relevant details such as registered number (if applicable)

name of sire, breed, Council registration details, date of birth and any other relevant details such as registered number (if applicable)

date of mating(s) -date of welphing/queening -sex and identification number of each of the litter

dates of worming, worm treatment used and dose rate administered

dates of vaccination and matching Vaccination Certificates

name and address of purchaser and date of disposal

dates of disposal/death of all animals including puppies and kittens.

Acknowledgements

This Agnote was developed by Bureau of Animal Welfare, May 2002.

It was reviewed by:

Steven Moore, Biosecurity Victoria – Bureau of Animal Welfare. April 2009.

Department of Primary Industries, Victoria, Australia

Customer Service Centre: Phone 136 186, TTY 1800 122 969

Copyright & Disclaimer|Privacy|Accessibility|Contact Us Page last updated 11-Apr-2012

© State Government of Victoria 1996-2012

[The Spotted Devil]

http://www.dpi.vic.gov.au/pets/about-pets/legislation-and-regulation/dog-cat-breeding-establishments

Operation of Dog and Cat Breeding Establishments

Legislation

Under the provisions of the Domestic Animals Act 1994 any person who runs an enterprise (being a business) for profit (whether the business makes a profit is irrelevant) that breeds dogs and/or cats, that person must register their premises as a domestic animal business with their local council before they can operate. While this type of business is known as a breeding and/or rearing establishment, some members of the public call these businesses “puppy farms” or “puppy mills”. Council domestic animal business registration is an annual process and Councils are required to report the number of domestic animal businesses registered with them to the State Government annually.

Dog and/or cat breeding establishment proprietors must operate in accord with the mandatory Code of Practice established by the State Government for the purpose of providing minimum standards of accommodation, management and care which are considered appropriate to the welfare, physical and behavioural needs of the animals housed at these establishments. In the case of a breeding establishment the mandatory Code is known as the ‘Code of Practice for the Operation of Breeding and Rearing Establishments’.

A person who is a member of an Applicable Organisation (including Dogs Victoria, Cat Authority of Victoria, Feline Control Council, Governing Council of the Cat Fancy and Waratah National Cat Alliance) that registers their puppies and/or kittens with that Organisation and has less than 10 fertile females of either species is not required to be registered as a breeding establishment with their Council. The reason for this is that these groups have been approved as Applicable Organisations due to their members being required to operate in accord with a Code of Ethics established by their Organisation. The Code of Ethics established by these organisations mandate responsible breeding and responsible pet ownership principles which are similar to the aims of the mandatory Code of Practice.

Breeding establishment proprietor responsibilities

Proprietors of breeding establishments must provide for the well being of all the animals kept at their establishment. They are responsible for supervision of staff, collation of records relating to breeding, the supervision of appropriate feeding programs, maintaining a high level of hygiene at their premises and ensuring veterinary care for the animals kept at the establishment.

Proprietors of breeding establishments can only offer animals for sale that have been vaccinated at least fourteen days prior to sale and must on sale or giving away an animal ensure the animal is implanted with a microchip. The proprietor must notify the Council in which the animal is to be kept of the name, address and microchip number of the animal sold from or given away from their premises.

Proprietors must provide literature to a person who purchases animals from them; this literature must include information on responsible pet ownership, appropriate housing and feeding. The proprietor must also provide a guarantee to the purchaser stating that if the animal is unacceptable for any reason that the animal can be returned within three days for a 75% refund of the purchase price or an offer of an animal of equal value with the same guarantee. Also within seven days, the proprietor must provide a similar guarantee on health grounds if supported by documentation from a veterinarian that the animal is sick after purchase. If the animal dies or is euthanased due to a disease traceable to point of sale, the proprietor must refund the purchase price or offer a replacement animal with the same guarantee.

Council responsibilities

Council must register breeding establishments to allow them to operate and should conduct annual audits or regular inspections to ensure these proprietors are operating their establishment in accord with the mandatory Code of Practice.

Council should follow up on the registration of animals purchased from breeding establishments as they must be notified by the proprietor of the establishment when an animal sold from their business is expected to be kept in that municipal district.

If you have an issue with the operation of a breeding establishment in your area

As the council is responsible for registering and authorising the operation of breeding establishments, you should report any concerns you may have to the Council for their action. Council may expect you to provide the information in writing to provide them with ‘reasonable grounds’ to investigate your claims.

Council has Authorised Officers that have the power to enter breeding establishments on reasonable grounds and at reasonable times to investigate the compliance of these establishments with the Act and mandatory Code of Practice.

If the breeding establishment is unregistered the Council can prosecute the proprietor for operating an unregistered breeding establishment, this offence carries a penalty of 10 penalty units in the Magistrates Court. Also, if the proprietor sells an animal from an unregistered premise this is also an offence which carries a penalty of 10 penalty units in court.

If the breeding establishment proprietor is not operating their business in accord with the mandatory Code of Practice, Council Officers can issue infringements or file charges in the Magistrates Court. Each breach carries a penalty of up to 10 penalty units in court.

[Steve]

My link

My link

Then you need to consider that even though Vicdogs members dont need a permit until they have 10 fertile dogs everyone who breeds a dog has to have a development application and council demand these building are in place. Many Vicdogs breeders have been floored to find out they need these DA's because they thought being exempt from the permit meant exempt form needing the buildings and an approved DA to breed dogs form their premises.

[Kavik]

So they need kennels even if they only have a few dogs?

[megan_]

Dogs that live in pens only need 2 x 10 minutes walks on lead/exercise .

Steve - if you are with DogsVic and have less than 10 fertile females, do the dogs need to live in pens with concrete floors, or can they live in the house?

[Rebanne]

Dogs that live in pens only need 2 x 10 minutes walks on lead/exercise .

Steve - if you are with DogsVic and have less than 10 fertile females, do the dogs need to live in pens with concrete floors, or can they live in the house?

they can live in the house but you still have to provide the kennels

[Steve]

Dogs that live in pens only need 2 x 10 minutes walks on lead/exercise .

Steve - if you are with DogsVic and have less than 10 fertile females, do the dogs need to live in pens with concrete floors, or can they live in the house?

You have to comply with the code of practice for breeding dogs and you also have to have a DA from your local council to be able to breed from your premises - only exemption is a permit cost if you have less than 10 fertile dogs. But every single breeder in Victoria is really covered by the same rules - they just think they arent because so far it hasnt been policed - but now there is a new policeman too. . The only reason Vicdogs get the exemption is because they have taken on the responsibility of educating their members and policing the laws as well as their own regs they are not off the hook as far as having to do everything thats in that code of practice that everyone has to do who own more than three dogs.

[Are You Serious Jo]

So it doesn't matter if you have less than 10 dogs you still have to comply with council requirements and build kennels, even if you have say two breeding bitches? What is the point of the dogsVic exemption if council just ping you anyway?

[Steve]

So it doesn't matter if you have less than 10 dogs you still have to comply with council requirements and build kennels, even if you have say two breeding bitches? What is the point of the dogsVic exemption if council just ping you anyway?

You dont need to pay for the permit but you still have the same regs on you as every other person as far as a DA and complying with the codes.

[Are You Serious Jo]

How much is the permit? The DA would be the killer, that is what will take out the small breeders.

[JulesP]

Were does it say that you have to have a DA?

[The Spotted Devil]

I just spoke with Yarra Ranges Council.

If you have 2 fertile bitches or a dog and a bitch than no dramas.

If you have 3 or more dogs then you need a permit to have multiple dogs.

If you have 3 or more fertile bitches you need a multiple dog permit and then it goes through to planning. However, it doesn't necessarily mean concrete runs. There is another person with more knowledge about the planning side who I will speak with next week.

[Steve]

Further Information

http://www.dpi.vic.gov.au/pets/dog-care/new-regulations-for-dog-breeders

For information on:

• planning permits for use of premises for dog breeding;
• registration of commercial dog breeding establishments;
• registration of the individual dogs in commercial breeding establishments;

please contact your local council.

Part of the problem is that this isn't stuff that's been circulated effectively so when breeders get them coming in demanding DA's they didn't know they needed one and thought the Vicdogs exemption allowed them immunity to it all. However, its a different permit via different departments.

[Pretty Miss Emma]

The rules regarding housing/keeping are made by DPI (state government) and are policed by local council (who may have some additional local laws that they also police).

[JulesP]

I can't find on the DPI site were it says you have to have kennels? All I can find is how the kennels are supposed to be built, size etc.