The McGowan Labor Government's commitment to stop puppy farming in Western Australia is progressing, with the State Government today issuing a request for information (ROI) for the procurement of a centralised registration system for cats and dogs.
The ROI, now advertised on the Tenders WA website, is seeking advice from the market on potential vendors that may be able to implement the system on behalf of the State Government. It will also identify timeframes, costs and any technical aspects that will inform the system's implementation.
Once operational, all pet owners in WA will register their animals online using the same centralised system for the first time. The system will assist local governments to keep track of pets and identify any illegal breeding activities.
A centralised registration system for cats and dogs was a key McGowan Government election commitment and forms a core part of the Stop Puppy Farming legislation that passed State Parliament in December 2021.
It will replace the separate registration systems run by WA's 139 local governments, reducing red tape for councils and pet owners, and is expected to be operational in 2023.
More information on the State Government's Stop Puppy Farming legislation is available at https://www.dlgsc.wa.gov.au/local-government/community/cats-and-dogs/stop-puppy-farming
As stated by Local Government Minister John Carey:
"The McGowan Government is getting on with the job of implementing the Stop Puppy Farming legislation and this request for information is another step in the right direction.
"The centralised system will ensure there is a consistent approach to dog and cat registration, no matter what local government area a pet owner lives in.
"Importantly, this is another positive step forward to ensure the breeding of dogs for commercial gain, ignoring the welfare of the animals, is stopped for good.
"Parts of the legislation have already been successfully put to work, including the de-muzzling of pet greyhounds."
