PIA Applauds Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Amendment Act 2021

Pet Insurance Australia applauds the recent changes made to the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Amendment Act 2021. These vital changes in NSW will help protect animals and punish those responsible for crimes against pet welfare.

“This is another important step in the right direction to ensure cruelty to animals is not tolerated within our communities,” Nadia Crighton from Pet Insurance Australia says. “NSW has taken a massive leap forward by increasing financial penalties and jail time for animal welfare offenses.”

New South Wales has recently passed the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Amendment Act 2021 that has made several important changes to the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act 1979.

Changes include:

• Cruelty: increase from $5,500 and/or six months imprisonment to $44,000 and/or 12 months’ imprisonment for individuals each offense. The corporate penalty will increase from $27,500 to $220,000 for each offense.
• Aggravated cruelty: the maximum penalty per offense will increase from $22,000 to $110,000 for an individual and/or two years’ imprisonment and from $110,000 to $550,000 for a corporation for each offense.
• Failure to provide food and shelter: increase from $5,500 to $16,500 for individuals and/or six months’ imprisonment, with corporate penalties increasing from $27,500 to $82,500 for each offense.

“Those who are found to be cruel to animals, including aggravated cruelty and failing to provide shelter, water or food will now face the full force of the courts,” Crighton says. “People also found guilty will be prohibited from purchasing, owning or working with an animal.”

This is a big win in helping stomp out puppy farms and kitten mills that are profiting directly off the cruel treatment of breeding cats and dogs.

“Puppy and kitten farms have been a major issue in Australia for years,” Crighton says. “Not only profiting of the terrible condition these animals are kept in, but also producing sick and unhealthy puppies and kittens for the unsuspecting public.”

These amendments are a clear sign that the community’s thoughts are now being echoed in actual change.

“When it comes to puppy farms and kitten mills it’s vital that the general population is well-educated on where their future pets come from,” Crighton says. “It’s imperative people do their research and ensure they are investing in a good breeder.”

Consider:

• Adopt a pet – approximately 190,000 pets remaining unclaimed in shelters and pounds across Australia each year.
• Ensure you visit your breeder.
• Ask to see the parents of your puppy or kitten.
• Contact breed clubs and research your chosen breeder.

Understand that you may have to wait. Good breeders tend to have waiting lists for their pets.

Photo by Taylor Kopel

We offer award-winning* pet insurance policies to protect your furry friend’s health and wellbeing. Get a quote today and give your pets the care they deserve.