The following article is an archived news release. For the latest information on South Australia's new dog and cat laws, click here.

On Sunday 19th April 2015 the Hon. Ian Hunter, Minister for Sustainability, Environment and Conservation announced that a draft bill containing proposed legislative amendments to the Dog and Cat Management Act 1995 has been developed and is now open for public consultation.

The amendments contain joint recommendations of the Dog and Cat Management Board, Local Government Association, Select Committee for Dogs and Cats as Companion Animals and the Government’s election commitments outlined in Let’s Keep Building South Australia.

The aims of the proposed changes are to improve dog and cat management and welfare in South Australia and improve the consistency of legislation across a number of Local Government Acts.

A draft Bill the Dog and Cat Management (Miscellaneous) Amendment Bill 2015 contains a number of amendments including the following:

• Mandatory microchipping of dogs and cats.
• A requirement for anyone who breeds dogs and cats for sale to be registered.
• Extended powers for council Authorised Persons to manage cats
• Increased penalties for people who allow their dog to wander or attack.

Consultation on the Dog and Cat Management (Miscellaneous) Amendment Bill 2015 closes on Friday 26 June.

A draft Code of Practice for the Welfare of Dogs and Cats in Breeding Facilities, under the Animal Welfare Act 1985, has also been developed and will be open for consultation until Friday 29 May.

You are invited to have your say on the proposed changes using the online or printable Submission Form at yoursay.sa.gov.au.

For more information contact (08) 7111 3452

Media Release