Dog breeders across New South Wales are facing significant regulatory changes as new laws designed to combat puppy farming and improve animal welfare come into effect from December 1st, 2025.

The amendments to the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act 1979 and the Companion Animals Act 1998 apply to everyone who breeds dogs in NSW, whether experienced breeders or those with a single accidental litter. The changes represent the most comprehensive overhaul of dog breeding regulations in decades.

From December 1st, anyone breeding dogs must obtain a breeder identification number or rehoming organisation number through the NSW Pet Registry. This requirement applies regardless of breeding frequency or intent, closing a previous loophole that allowed casual breeders to operate without oversight.

Female dogs will be limited to five litters in their lifetime, with no more than three of those litters delivered by caesarean section. If a dog has already had two caesareans, any additional pregnancy requires veterinary approval. The regulation aims to protect breeding dogs from the physical toll of excessive pregnancies and surgical deliveries.

Premises housing breeding dogs face new restrictions. A maximum of 20 non-desexed female adult dogs over six months of age may be kept at any location unless an exemption has been granted. The regulation includes some exceptions for specific circumstances, which breeders can apply for through the appropriate channels.

Staffing ratios represent another significant change. There must be at least one staff member for every 20 dogs on the premises. Staff can include owners, employees or volunteers, but must be at least 14 years of age. For ratio calculation purposes, a dog over 12 weeks counts as one dog, whilst an entire litter of dogs under 12 weeks of age counts as one dog. This applies to both males and females.

Advertising requirements have also been strengthened. When a dog is advertised for sale or transfer, the advertisement must include the dog's microchip number and the seller's breeder identification number or rehoming organisation number. Some exceptions apply to this requirement, though the NSW Government has not detailed all circumstances where exemptions would be granted.

The breeder identification number system undergoes changes on December 1st. Two new eligibility classes will be introduced for dog and cat breeders. Existing breeder identification numbers issued before this date will not be cancelled or reissued but will be updated with either active cat breeder eligibility or inactive dog breeder eligibility.

Dog breeders with an existing breeder identification number must activate their dog breeder eligibility. Numbers issued after December 1st, 2025 will automatically have both classes activated. The distinction between active and inactive status allows the registry to track who is currently breeding versus who holds historical breeding credentials.

Anyone responsible for a dog that becomes pregnant must obtain a breeder identification number, even if the pregnancy was unintentional. If pregnancy occurs unexpectedly, the person in charge must apply for a number within 14 days of becoming aware of the pregnancy, or within seven days after the dog gives birth.

The NSW Pet Registry provides the easiest pathway for compliance. Breeders can log in or create an account to apply for a breeder identification number or activate dog breeder eligibility. The online system allows breeders to manage all pet related tasks, including creating litter records, uploading images and details for each litter pet, sending litters for microchipping directly to vets, and instantly transferring ownership.

For those unable to access online services, offline application forms are available for download from the NSW Pet Registry website. The Office of Local Government reviews applications within 20 business days and notifies applicants of outcomes via email. Incomplete applications may result in processing delays.

Cat breeders receive different treatment under the new system. Breeder identification numbers are not mandatory for cat breeders, though those who manage litters online through the NSW Pet Registry will be issued a number. Cat breeder eligibility under the new system requires no action from existing cat breeders.

The regulations aim to address longstanding concerns about puppy farming practices in NSW. Animal welfare advocates have long argued that unregulated breeding contributes to animal suffering, with dogs kept in poor conditions and bred excessively for profit. The new laws attempt to balance legitimate breeding operations with animal welfare protections.

Industry reaction has been mixed. Established breeders generally support measures that professionalise the sector and eliminate unscrupulous operators. However, some smaller breeders express concern about compliance costs and administrative burdens, particularly the staffing ratio requirements which may affect family operations.

The prohibition on unlimited breeding addresses veterinary concerns about the health impacts of excessive pregnancies. Multiple caesarean sections carry cumulative risks for dogs, and the lifetime limit of five litters allows for sustainable breeding whilst protecting animal welfare.

Enforcement mechanisms for the new laws include inspections, penalties for non-compliance, and potential prohibition orders preventing individuals from breeding dogs. The NSW Government has indicated it will take a graduated approach to enforcement, initially focusing on education before moving to penalties for persistent non-compliance.

For more information about the new laws, breeders can contact the NSW Pet Registry helpline via email at [email protected], call 1300 134 460, or visit petregistry.olg.nsw.gov.au. The Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development also provides resources at dpi.nsw.gov.au/dpi/animals/animal-welfare/pets/dogs.

The changes represent a significant shift in how dog breeding is regulated in NSW, with implications for everyone from large commercial operations to families with a single breeding dog. Compliance before the December 1st deadline is essential to avoid penalties and continue breeding activities legally.