| 6.1 | The RSPCA is opposed to uncontrolled and irresponsible breeding of companion animals because this contributes to the number of unwanted animals in our communities, resulting in welfare, community, and environmental issues. |
| 6.2 | Where companion animals are bred, breeders must comply with relevant laws regarding breeding and sale of animals. Breeding practices must be at least compliant with but, ideally, exceed state or territory breeding standards. Breeding must be planned to match the likely demand and undertaken responsibly to ensure suitable homes will be available for the animals. |
| 6.3 | Breeders must seek and follow veterinary advice to avoid negative impacts from breeding on animals’ physical and mental health. |
| 6.4 | Unweaned animals of any species should not be sold or otherwise transferred to owners who are not experienced and knowledgeable in hand rearing that species. Ordinarily, transfer of ownership/care should not occur until the animal is eating independently and maintaining their bodyweight without supplementary feeding. |
| 6.5 | Breeders have a responsibility to ensure that breeding animals no longer being bred are provided with a suitable home as a companion animal for the remainder of their life. |
| 6.6 | Surgical artificial insemination (AI) must not be performed in companion animals as it is unnecessary and detrimental to the welfare of the animal concerned. |
| 6.7 | Breeder and rearer registration, standards, and traceability |
| 6.7.1 | The RSPCA advocates for regulation and registration associated with mandatory standards for the traceability and conduct of companion animal breeding and rearing, providing for the conditions under which animals are kept, cared for, identified, and managed. |
| 6.7.2 | There should be effective legislation to prevent breeders found to have contravened relevant legislation in one jurisdiction moving their operations to another state or territory. See also: Policy GP1 - Good animal welfare Policy GP3 - Standards and guidelines, and codes of practice Position Paper A5 - Responsible companion animal breeding Position Paper GP1 - Animal welfare legislation Position Paper GP2 - Development of nationally consistent animal welfare standards and guidelines |
| 6.8 | Selective breeding |
| 6.8.1 | The RSPCA is opposed to the selective breeding of companion animals which produces or maintains physical characteristics (such as exaggerated features) or behaviours that are detrimental to the animals’ physical or mental wellbeing. |
| 6.8.2 | People involved in the breeding or showing of companion animals must prioritise good health, behaviour, and wellbeing of both breeding animals and offspring, including in the selection of breeding animals and animals awarded prizes in shows. |
| 6.9 | Inbreeding The RSPCA is opposed to the close inbreeding4 of companion animals, as this can adversely impact their health and welfare. See also: Policy GP1 - Good animal welfare Policy GP3 - Standards and guidelines, and codes of practice Position Paper GP1 - Animal welfare legislation Position Paper GP2 - Development of nationally consistent animal welfare standards and guidelines Position Paper A5 - Responsible companion animal breeding |
| 6.10 | Wild-domestic hybrids The RSPCA opposes the hybridisation of wild species with domesticated animals for the purposes of creating new breeds of companion animals due to the significant problems associated with the care and management of such animals. |
(adopted 08/04/2024)
[4] Inbreeding is the mating of related individuals who have one or more ancestors in common. Close inbreeding is the intentional mating of close relatives. This includes (but is not limited to) mating first-degree relatives (e.g. full siblings and between parents and offspring) and second-degree relatives (e.g. grandparents and grand-offspring). Linebreeding is where there is a common ancestor but are not as closely related as inbreeding.
