- Key element of Stop Puppy Farming reforms to commence
- In 2025 approved pet shops to only sell dogs or puppies supplied by approved rescues and pounds
- Awareness campaign continues to encourage people to adopt dogs and cats from animal shelters or rescue organisations
The Cook Labor Government's Stop Puppy Farming reforms have reached another significant milestone with pet shops to transition to adoption centres for dogs and puppies in 2025.
Pet shops will need to obtain an annual 'pet shop approval' to sell dogs or puppies, which will only be able to be sourced from an animal refuge organisation or dog management facility that has obtained a 'dog supply approval'.
Local governments will receive and assess 'pet shop approval' applications, with 'dog supply approval' applications to be managed by the Department of Local Government, Sport and Cultural Industries (DLGSC).
All applications must include a dog care plan and approvals granted may be subject to conditions. The RSPCA and the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD) may supply information as part of the application assessment.
Grounds for application refusals and cancellations are outlined in the legislation. Objections can be lodged with the local government and appeals can be heard by the State Administrative Tribunal.
DLGSC will publish any pet shop and dog supply approvals.
Existing pet shops need to transition to adoption centres by obtaining 'pet shop approval' by 26 May 2025 or cease selling dogs and puppies.
The Cook Labor Government recently launched a major public awareness campaign to encourage potential pet owners to adopt or foster from animal rescue organisations to further support the implementation of the Stop Puppy Farming reforms.
For more information on the 'Adopt, Don't Shop' campaign visit pets.wa.gov.au .
Work also continues to establish PetsWA by mid-2025, a centralised pet registration system that will combine the dog and cat registers of Western Australia's 139 individual local governments.
PetsWA will provide a tool to identify and then deal with irresponsible dog breeding and improve animal welfare.
More information on the Stop Puppy Farming laws is available on the DLGSC website .
As stated by Local Government Minister Hannah Beazley:
"Dogs are such important members of so many Western Australian families, that is why promoting responsible pet ownership and delivering our landmark Stop Puppy Farming reforms is a key priority for the Cook Labor Government.
"A key element of those reforms is transitioning pet shops to dog and puppy adoption centres.
"The new dog supply laws, together with the establishment of PetsWA and other measures, will increase the transparency of, and information on, the source of dogs to enhance the ability of authorities to identify irresponsible breeders and detect puppy farms.
"Our Stop Puppy Farming laws will reduce the number of dogs that are bred and sold indiscriminately, promoting animal welfare and responsible and caring pet ownership."
