Pets can be a great addition to any family. Besides offering companionship and affection, pets can help you and your children to appreciate loyalty, responsibility, friendship and respect. They can also improve your health and reduce stress.
If you are considering adding a dog or puppy to your family, make sure you get it from a responsible owner or breeder. Breeders must now meet new laws and they must also give you a supply number when you take ownership of the dog or puppy.
There are a number of responsibilities pet owners need to meet including:
- caring for the animal properly and providing for its needs;
- identification (i.e. microchipping) and registration
- responsible ownership (e.g. desexing);
- effective control of regulated dogs (i.e. dangerous, menacing or restricted dogs).
Contact council to check whether you need an animal permit. You may need a permit to keep:
- more than the allowed number of domestic cats or dogs;
- more than two dogs for breeding, racing, sale or showing;
- cats for breeding or showing;
- certain native and exotic species of animals.
Permits may be required for other animals, including race horses. You may also need a permit to keep more than a certain number of poultry.
If your dog becomes pregnant and has a litter you need to meet new dog breeding laws and register as a dog breeder.
