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A step closer to closing Victoria’s puppy farm loophole
The commercial breeding exemption puts dogs at risk
Commercial puppy farms can expose dogs to overcrowding, inadequate housing and veterinary care, poor socialisation, and lasting trauma.
Victoria’s landmark 2017 puppy farm reforms sought to eliminate intensive commercial breeding and strengthen protections for dogs. However, the reforms also introduced a ministerial approval, allowing commercial breeders to keep up to 50 fertile female dogs.
Advocacy delivers action
Following sustained advocacy from Animal Justice Party MP Georgie Purcell, animal advocates, and concerned community members, the Victorian Government has announced a review of the state’s commercial dog-breeding laws. The review will consider whether allowing commercial breeders to keep up to 50 fertile female dogs remains consistent with contemporary animal welfare standards and community expectations.
Georgie has long campaigned against puppy farming and was involved in the movement that secured Victoria’s landmark reforms. She has continued to expose weaknesses in the legislation and push the government to ensure puppy farms cannot continue operating with official approval.
The work continues
The strong public opposition to the recent Elphinstone puppy farm proposal shows that Victorians care deeply about animal welfare and expect breeding laws to reflect those values. Securing this review is an important achievement and demonstrates what can happen when animals have a voice in Parliament.
The review must now lead to meaningful reform. The government has not yet committed to abolishing the 50-dog exemption. The government should close the loophole and ensure Victoria’s laws genuinely protect dogs from being treated as breeding commodities.
