Australian Capital Territory Pet Adoption Guidelines

Australian Capital Territory Pet Adoption Guidelines

Cats and Dogs

In the Australian Capital Territory (ACT), all individuals and organisations involved in the rehoming of cats and dogs are mandated to display a Rehoming Identifier number on their pet listings. This identifier can be represented by the organisation's name, which is universally displayed on all Pet Profile listings, providing a clear and consistent way to identify the source of the pets.

Microchip numbers for each cat and dog must be prominently displayed on their respective listings. This requirement helps ensure traceability and accountability in pet adoption.

Furthermore, it is a legal requirement that cats be desexed before they reach three months of age, while dogs must be desexed before they turn six months old. This desexing policy is a vital component of responsible pet ownership and must be completed before any pet is made available for adoption.

Additionally, no cat or dog may be rehomed until it is sterilised and at least eight weeks old. This regulation is in place to ensure that pets are sterilised, ready for adoption, and able to adjust to their new homes.

Farm Animals and Poultry

For members who wish to list farm animals and poultry, a Property Identification Code (PIC) must be included in the listing. The PIC is issued by the Department of Primary Industries (DPI) or an equivalent authority in each state or territory, and it identifies the livestock-producing property where the animals are located.

Members listing species such as cows, sheep, goats, pigs, horses, donkeys, alpacas, llamas, deer, chickens, ducks, geese, guinea fowl, or turkeys are obligated to include a PIC for compliance with agricultural regulations.

In addition, adherence to the National Livestock Identification System (NLIS) is required for cattle, sheep, and goats, as these animals must have NLIS tags for identification.

Pigs must have either an NLIS tag or a brand/tattoo for identification purposes. Moreover, any adoption of a pig must be registered under the PigPass National Vendor Declaration to ensure proper tracking of the animal's history and ownership.

Exemptions

There are specific exemptions related to desexing that may be granted for dogs aged between eight weeks and six months. However, any dog advertised for rehoming with a desexing exemption must be microchipped before the age of six months or before the transfer of ownership, whichever comes first.

Similarly, for cats between eight weeks and three months old, desexing exemptions may also be granted. It is stipulated that these cats must be microchipped by the age of three months or before the ownership is transferred, whichever occurs first.

Microchip exemptions are not permitted under any circumstances, as microchipping is a requirement that must be clearly displayed on all pet advertisements.

Vaccination exemptions may be considered, but only if all pets are vaccinated before ownership changes hands. This policy ensures that the health and well-being of pets are prioritised during the adoption process.