The Allan Labor Government is strengthening the animal welfare sector to better support our shelters and animal rehoming organisations and their dedicated volunteers.
The Domestic Animals Amendment (Rehoming Cats and Dogs and Other Matters) Bill 2025 passed the Victorian Parliament as a part of our ongoing efforts to promote consistent animal welfare and management standards.
The new laws are the first step towards creating a new voluntary Pet Rehoming Organisation Authorisation Scheme. This will help participating animal rehoming organisations access benefits such as foster animal registration exemptions and opportunities to hold adoption days in registered pet shops.
We have also made it very clear that the scheme will be voluntary, and organisations who choose not to join will be able to continue to rehome animals. Work to develop the details of the scheme will continue with stakeholders across the pet rehoming sector in 2026, ahead of the scheme's planned introduction in 2027.
In recognition of concerns expressed by rehoming organisations, the Government has accepted amendments to extend the agreements some foster carers have with their local councils for cheap registration - if the organisation joins the new scheme registration will be free.
The Labor Government supported all 17 recommendations made by the Taskforce on Rehoming Pets and this will deliver on five of the recommendations the Government supported in full.
The laws provide further clarity for local council Authorised Officers regarding powers of entry to backyards to seize dangerous dogs. Authorised Officers can enter residential land and backyards - but not the inside of a home - to seize a dog which is suspected to have chased, or bitten someone in the community, without a warrant.
While enforcement powers will remain the same, this will give greater certainty to Authorised Officers, so that dangerous dogs can be taken into care quicker. Warrants will still be required to access animals inside a home.
This law will also allow Victorians to be buried with their deceased pets - giving funeral directors and cemetery managers the decision to honour a person's final wishes.
For more information visit, agriculture.vic.gov.au/livestock-and-animals/animal-welfare-victoria/domestic-animal-businesses/shelters-and-pounds/authorised-pet-rehoming-organisation-scheme
As stated by Minister for Agriculture Ros Spence
"We will continue to work with the pet rehoming sector to deliver the 17 recommendations from the Taskforce on Rehoming Pets and further improve the care and rehoming outcomes for dogs and cats."
"We're making sure Authorised Officers have the clarity they need to act quickly and confidently to protect the community and prevent dangerous dog attacks."
As stated by Minister for Health Mary-Anne Thomas
"For many, pets are a big part of the family, and they play a special role in our lives - this is an important amendment for Victorians whose wish is to be buried with their pets' remains when they pass away."
