Shellharbour City Council is reminding local breeders and dog owners of the new State Government laws that will come into effect on 1 December 2025. The laws aim to strengthen animal welfare, ensure dogs are bred responsibly and prevent puppy farming across NSW.
These changes apply to everyone who breeds dogs, whether you're a registered breeder or have a one-off accidental litter.
Image courtesy of Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development.
Key requirements include:
• Breeder ID: You must have a breeder identification number or rehoming organisation number from the NSW Pet Registry.
• Litter limits: Each female dog can have up to 5 litters in her life, with no more than 3 by caesarean.
• Dog numbers: A maximum of 20 non-desexed female dogs over 6 months of age can be kept on a property unless you have an exemption.
• Staff ratio: There must be one staff member for every 20 dogs on the property.
• Advertising: When selling or giving away a dog, include the dog's microchip number and your breeder ID.
Mayor Chris Homer said the new laws are an important step in protecting animal welfare.
"These changes ensure dogs are bred responsibly and cared for properly. We encourage all breeders and dog owners to understand their obligations and help us stop puppy farming," Mayor Homer said.
"These laws are about doing the right thing for animals and for our community."
From 1 December 2025, anyone holding a voluntary breeder identification number will automatically have their dog breeder eligibility status set to inactive.
To reactivate your status, you must log in to the NSW Pet Registry, update your details, and acknowledge the new terms and conditions. This process cannot be completed in person at Council offices.
