Does VIC require records for dog or cat breeders?

Standard (must). Keep business records plus health, breeding and vaccination records for each animal, and have your annual management plan signed off.

Does VIC require vet care & vaccination for dog or cat breeders?

Standard (must). Give every animal an annual vet check and each pup a pre-sale check, vaccinate against kennel cough, and keep all animals on a parasite-control regime.

Does VIC require breeding management for dog or cat breeders?

Standard (must). Only mate females aged 12 months or older, with a vet check in the 4 weeks before mating. Each female is capped at 5 litters in her lifetime, males retire at 6 years, and retired breeding animals must be desexed.

Does VIC require whelping & rearing for dog or cat breeders?

Standard (must). Follow the code's whelping and rearing standards for housing, care and weaning of the litter.

Does VIC require sale & transfer for dog or cat breeders?

Standard (must). Have a vet check each pup before it is sold.

Does VIC require staffing & competency for dog or cat breeders?

Standard (must). Use trained staff, meet the minimum staff-to-animal ratios, and keep a signed agreement in place with your vet.

Does VIC require emergency & security for dog or cat breeders?

Standard (must). Have equivalent emergency and security measures in place — pest control, an evacuation plan, fire equipment and secure housing.

Does VIC require housing & space for dog or cat breeders?

Standard (must). Meet the code's detailed enclosure specifications and display an identification card on each pen.

Does VIC require environment for dog or cat breeders?

Standard (must). Maintain a controlled, comfortable environment with suitable temperature, lighting and ventilation.

Does VIC require cleaning for dog or cat breeders?

Standard (must). Follow the code's cleaning and hygiene standards for enclosures and equipment.

Does VIC require food & water for dog or cat breeders?

Standard (must). Follow the code's food and water standards — constant clean water and a complete, balanced diet.

Does VIC require daily care, exercise & enrichment for dog or cat breeders?

Standard (must). Meet the minimum daily exercise, socialisation and handling requirements for each animal.

Does VIC require transport for dog or cat breeders?

Standard (must). Follow the code's transport standards so animals travel safely and comfortably.

Does VIC require euthanasia for dog or cat breeders?

Standard (must). Follow the code's humane euthanasia standards — carried out humanely by a suitably qualified person.

← All states

VIC breeding rules

Code of Practice for the Operation of Breeding and Rearing Businesses 2014 (rev. 2018)

Instrument: Domestic Animals Act
Structure: No standard/guideline split — the entire code is mandatory for those it binds.
Who it binds: Only DABs (3–10 fertile females, non-club) + commercial. Microbreeders (1–2 females) and recreational/club breeders (≤10 females) are exempt.
Species: Dogs and cats.

Does this code bind you?

Only DABs (3–10 fertile females, non-club) + commercial. Microbreeders (1–2 females) and recreational/club breeders (≤10 females) are exempt.

If you're an exempt club or recreational breeder, the code itself doesn't bind you — but you still must hold a PER source number, microchip your animals, and follow the Heritable Defects requirements. When you add your details in the app, Whelpkeep works out whether the code binds you from your female count and club membership.

Records & paperwork

Records, vet care, breeding management, whelping and sale/transfer — the paperwork side.

RecordsStandard (must)
Keep business records plus health, breeding and vaccination records for each animal, and have your annual management plan signed off.
Vet care & vaccinationStandard (must)
Give every animal an annual vet check and each pup a pre-sale check, vaccinate against kennel cough, and keep all animals on a parasite-control regime.
Breeding managementStandard (must)
Only mate females aged 12 months or older, with a vet check in the 4 weeks before mating. Each female is capped at 5 litters in her lifetime, males retire at 6 years, and retired breeding animals must be desexed.
Whelping & rearingStandard (must)
Follow the code's whelping and rearing standards for housing, care and weaning of the litter.
Sale & transferStandard (must)
Have a vet check each pup before it is sold.

Care & premises

Housing, environment, cleaning, food and water, daily care and transport — the setup side.

Staffing & competencyStandard (must)
Use trained staff, meet the minimum staff-to-animal ratios, and keep a signed agreement in place with your vet.
Emergency & securityStandard (must)
Have equivalent emergency and security measures in place — pest control, an evacuation plan, fire equipment and secure housing.
Housing & spaceStandard (must)
Meet the code's detailed enclosure specifications and display an identification card on each pen.
EnvironmentStandard (must)
Maintain a controlled, comfortable environment with suitable temperature, lighting and ventilation.
CleaningStandard (must)
Follow the code's cleaning and hygiene standards for enclosures and equipment.
Food & waterStandard (must)
Follow the code's food and water standards — constant clean water and a complete, balanced diet.
Daily care, exercise & enrichmentStandard (must)
Meet the minimum daily exercise, socialisation and handling requirements for each animal.
TransportStandard (must)
Follow the code's transport standards so animals travel safely and comfortably.
EuthanasiaStandard (must)
Follow the code's humane euthanasia standards — carried out humanely by a suitably qualified person.

Official sources

Whelpkeep tracks VIC's requirements for you automatically — deadlines, records and a self-ticking checklist per litter. Start free →