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Selling dogs and cats

A person selling a dog or cat has specific obligations to provide the new owner certain information in writing.

The written information that must be provided includes (where applicable):

  • The name, address and telephone number of the seller [reg 19(1)];
  • The name, address and telephone number of each breeder and if they are registered, their identification number [reg 18(2)];
  • Whether or not the dog or cat has been vaccinated and if so, which vaccinations were administered [reg 19(3)(a)];
  • Whether or not the dog or cat has been desexed, and if it has, the date and location of the desexing procedure, the age of the animal at that time, and the name and address of the vet who performed the procedure [reg 19(3)];
  • Whether or not the dog or cat has been micorchipped, and if it has, the microchip number and details of when and where the microchip procedure was performed [reg 19(4)];
  • Other relevant information including whether the dog or cat has been subject to any exemptions from microchipping or desexing, and any details of any illness or medical condition that it is known the animal is suffering from [reg 19(4)].

See also Dog and Cat Management Act 1995 (SA) s 71(1).

It is an offence to sell a dog or cat without providing the above information to the purchaser.

Maximum Penalty: fine of up to $5,000.

Expiation fee: $315.

Advertising the sale of a dog or cat

When advertising the sale of a dog or cat, the seller must ensure that the advertisement contains all of the following information (where applicable):

  • The name and phone number of the seller [reg 19(6)];
  • The name and phone number of each breeder, and if they are registered, their identification number [reg 19(7)].

See also Dog and Cat Management Act 1995 (SA) s 71(2).

It is an offence to advertise to sell a dog or cat contrary to these provisions.

Maximum Penalty: fine of up to $5,000.

Expiation fee: $315.

A registered breeder is not required to provide the above information in selling a dog or cat, or advertising to sell a dog or cat, in circumstances where they are selling the animal to another registered breeder [see Dog and Cat Management Act 1995 (SA) s 71(3); Dog and Cat Management Regulations 2017 (SA) reg 19(8)(a)(i)].

Selling dogs and cats  :  Last Revised: Mon Jul 2nd 2018
The content of the Law Handbook is made available as a public service for information purposes only and should not be relied upon as a substitute for legal advice. See Disclaimer for details. For free and confidential legal advice in South Australia call 1300 366 424.