Cats
Cat Ownership
Nearly 1.9 million Australian households have a cat. Cats provided companionship, affection, family fun and entertainment to people of all ages and lifestyles. Owning a cat can be a wonderful and fulfilling experience for the whole family. Cats are excellent companion animals, being affectionate, intelligent, clean and easy to handle. Owning a cat brings with it many responsibilities. Not only will you have to feed and care for the cat, but prevent it from producing unwanted kittens and annoying neighbours. By being a responsible cat owner you are providing your cat with the best opportunity for a long, healthy and happy life.
From 1 July 2018, it is compulsory for dogs and cats to be microchipped. You can also register your cat online via dogandcatsonline. By having your furry friend registered and microchipped, will assist in you being reunited with your pet.
Desexing
From the 1st of July 2018, all dogs and cats born after 1 July 2018 must be desexed by a registered veterinary surgeon:
- before it is 6 months of age; or
- within 28 days after the owner takes possession of the dog or cat; or
- if the owner of a dog or cat is granted an extension of time, before the day specified in the exemption.
There are exemptions for desexing prescribed in the Act and in the Regulations:
- vets may grant an exemption based on it posing an undue risk to the health of the dog or cat or adversely affecting the growth, development or wellbeing of the dog or cat
- dogs and cats born before 1 July 2018 do not have to be desexed
- dogs defined as a "working livestock dog" as per the definition in the Act are exempt from desexing
- dogs belonging to Dogs SA members are exempt
- cats belonging to a FASA or Cat Fancy of SA members are exempt
- greyhounds currently registered to Greyhound Racing SA are exempt (retired greyhounds are not exempt)
- Board exemption
Microchipping
From 1 July 2018, all dogs and cats must be mircochipped.
Owners must microchip their dogs and cats by 12 weeks of age or at the point of sale. This includes dogs and cats that are more than 12 weeks of age on 1 July 2018.
Owners are encouraged to take advantage of the numerous discounted microchipping days throughout the state. Visit www.chipblitz.com for upcoming dates, locations and to make a booking. Alternatively, contact your local vet.
Microchipping is the most effective form of permanent identification of your dog or cat.
Breeders
There are new laws regulating the breeding and sale of dogs and cats. These changes are designed to weed out unscrupulous breeders from the industry.
The most important changes to the law are:
- breeders and sellers must adhere to the new South Australian Standards and Guidelines for Breeding and Trading Companion Animals, from 1 August 2017.
- If you are a breeder and seller and you intend to sell a dog or cat after 1 July 2018, you must register as a breeder with the Dog and Cat Management Board.
- You must not sell a dog or cat unless it has been desexed (by 6 months of age) and microchipped (by 12 weeks of age) in accordance with the Act.
- If you are a breeder and sell any advertisement you place for the sale of a dog or cat must include your contact details and breeder registration number and provide the buyer with specific information