Pet owners and businesses looking to advertise a dog, cat, puppy or kitten for sale or giveaway in Victoria, will have to register with the Victorian Government from July 1 as a result of puppy farm legislation.
The Pet Exchange Register (PER) is an online database that will generate a unique source number for individuals or businesses advertising a pet for sale or giveaway in Victoria.
Click here to find out if the Pet Exchange Register could affect you
From 1 July 2019, it will be illegal to advertise a dog, cat, puppy or kitten for sale or give away, unless the advertisement includes the animal's microchip number and the PER source number.
Yarra Ranges Mayor, Tony Stevenson, said the register will aim to improve traceability of dogs and cats, with the intention to deter illegal pet sales and support Animal Welfare Victoria and Councils to enforce animal management laws.
"Bringing a pet into your home is one of the best things you can do – animals provide great companionship and brighten up a home, and we're lucky to have organisations like Animal Aid working to find the perfect home for kittens, puppies, cats and dogs," Cr Stevenson said.
"When you're adopting a pet, you want to make sure that it's coming from a legitimate source and not supporting illegal pet breeding farms.
"Our Community Safety Officers and State Government authorities investigate these whenever they're reported. Having a centralised register will make that work easier and give residents confidence that the animal they're getting has come from the right place."
Once the register is running, it will be possible to report illegal advertisements through the PER and check source numbers posted on advertisements to ensure the validity of sellers.
Individuals looking to sell or rehome a dog or cat by word of mouth instead of advertising, such as to a family member, will not have to enroll on the PER.
