Dog owners have the following duties to:

• register the dog
• microchip the dog
• desex the dog
• to keep the dog under effective control, generally this means on a leash no longer than 2 metres
• keep dog from entering private property without consent
• prevent the dog from wandering at large
• keep the dog from attacking, harassing or chasing any person or animal or bird owned by a person
• immediately collect and dispose of dog’s faeces from a public place
• keep the dog from persistent or extensive barking
• keep the dog from rushing at or chasing vehicles
• keep the dog physically restrained (in an enclosure or tethered so it cannot fall or escape) when being transported in the open tray of a utility or similar vehicle
• keep the dog (other than an assistance dog) from entering education facilities or shops without permission; and
• ensure the dog wears a collar around its neck with the registration disc last issued to the dog, at all times when it is not confined to the owner's premises.

Yes, all dogs over three months old must be registered in the name of a person aged 16 years or older Dog and Cat Management Act.

Dog registration occurs via the Dogs and Cats Online Website, which is now the centre point for registration, microchipping and breeder registration in South Australia.

If the owner or person responsible for the dog fails to register the dog, the council may issue an expiation notice for that offence or a summons to answer the charge and pay a fine.

Yes, it is a requirement of the Dog and Cat Management Act 1995 and its Regulations for dogs and cats to be microchipped (in most instances).

Microchipping can enable lost dogs and cats to be quickly reunited with their owners.

A dog or cat must be microchipped before they are sold. In any event, a dog or cat must otherwise be microchipped:

• Before they reach 12 weeks' of age; OR
• Within 28 days of an owner taking possession of the animal;

(Whichever occurs later)

Microchipping can assist with reuniting lost dogs and cats to their owners quickly. A dog or cat must be microchipped before they are sold.

A dog or cat that is not required to be microchipped must still wear a collar containing both the registration disc last issued to dog or cat, and the contact details of the owner.

A registered veterinary surgeon may grant an exemption from the requirements to microchip a particular dog or cat if microchipping would pose an undue risk to the health of the animal or adversely affect their growth, development and wellbeing.

An exemption due to the health of the dog or cat may be for a limited or an indefinite period, but an exemption due to the growth, development and wellbeing may only be for a maximum of 18 months.

The exemption must be by notice in writing as required by the Dog and Cat Management Board. The Board or the registered veterinary surgeon may vary or revoke an exemption if it is no longer necessary.

Yes, it is a requirement of the Dog and Cat Management Act 1995 and its Regulations for dogs and cats to be desexed (in most instances).

Microchipping can enable lost dogs and cats to be quickly reunited with their owners.

A dog or cat must be microchipped before they are sold. In any event, a dog or cat must otherwise be microchipped:

• Before they reach 12 weeks' of age; OR
• Within 28 days of an owner taking possession of the animal;

(Whichever occurs later)

This means that dogs and cats aged six months or older before 1 July 2018 are exempt from the requirement to be desexed, but those born on or after 1 July 2018 must comply with these requirements.

Working livestock dogs are also exempt from the requirement to be desexed.

A registered veterinary surgeon may grant an exemption from the requirements to desex a particular dog or cat if microchipping would pose an undue risk to the health of the animal or adversely affect their growth, development and wellbeing.

An exemption due to the health of the dog or cat may be for a limited or an indefinite period, but an exemption due to the growth, development and wellbeing may only be for a maximum of 18 months.

The exemption must be by notice in writing as required by the Dog and Cat Management Board. The Board or the registered veterinary surgeon may vary or revoke an exemption if it is no longer necessary.

Before buying a dog or cat, check that the person you're buying a dog or cat from is registered using the Breeder Search at Dogs and Cats Online

As a buyer, you should expect the following:

• Name, address and phone number of the seller
• Name, address and phone number of each breeder involved in breeding the dog or cat for sale and their Dogs and Cats Online (DACO) breeder number(s)
• Any vaccination details, name and address of the vet who desexed the dog or cat (if desexed), and any other vet treatment the animal has received
• The dog or cat has been microchipped prior to sale
• Name and address of the microchip implanter, microchip number and date of procedure, registries the microchip information is stored on
• Any vet exemptions from microchipping or desexing
• Details of any known illness or medical condition
• For dogs, any control order on the dog

South Australia has laws to regulate the breeding, sale and welfare of dogs and cats. There are six basic rules for breeding and selling dogs or cats.

Anyone who sells a dog or cat they’ve bred, whether intentional or not (i.e. accidental litter) must be registered as a breeder on Dogs and Cats Online. If you give the animals away ‘for free’, you don’t need to register, but if you trade them for goods or services, you must register.

For further information, please visit https://dogandcatboard.com.au/breeders/registration-for-breeders

People who are wholly or partially blind or deaf, or otherwise have a disability, are entitled to take an accredited assistance dog onto any place or premises.

It is an offence for an occupier or person in charge of a public place or public passenger vehicle to refuse access to a person on the grounds that they are accompanied by an assistance dog.

It is an offence to claim that a dog is an assistance dog, unless it is accredited under the Act or covered by the Disability Discrimination Act 1992.

The following are prescribed accreditation bodies under the Act and regulations:

• The Dog and Cat Management Board
• The Royal Society for the Blind of SA Inc.
• The Guide Dogs Association of SA and NT Inc.
• Lions Hearing Dogs Inc.
• Assistance Dogs Australia
• Righteous Pups Australia Inc.
• Vision Australia
• Guide Dogs WA
• Guide Dogs Queensland
• Guide Dogs NSW/ACT
• Guide Dogs Victoria
• Guide Dogs Tasmania

Yes, you must have your dog on a leash of no more than two metres in all public places and in private places where you do not have the consent of the occupier to have your dog off-leash. Dogs must be on leash when walking along all public roads and footpaths, unless otherwise signposted.

Effective control of a dog that is “off-leash” means that the owner/person responsible for the dog have voice control of their dog in a manner that ensures the dog will obey. The dog must remain in close proximity and in sight of the owner/person responsible at all times. When the dog is called (one call only), the dog should immediately respond and return to the owner/person responsible. The owner/person responsible should be able to display control over the dog with verbal commands only (not physically holding the dog).

Exercising Effective Control “On-Leash”:

In all public places and where legislation or by-laws require a dog to be on a physical restraint - a dog is still required to be under the effective control of a person. In these situations, “Exercising Effective Control” is by means of voice command and physical control.  The physical control of the dog must be by means of a chain, cord or leash that is no longer than 2m in length”. In these situations, "Exercising Effective Control" requires the person restraining the dog to be physically able to control the behavior of the dog.

Cat confinement doesn’t mean keeping your cat indoors at all times, your cat can still go outside, as long as they remain on your property.

You may want to consider building a cat enclosure so your cat can enjoy being indoors but with access to an outdoor enclosure or run, giving them the choice of where they want to spend their time.

Another option is to fit your property with escape-proof fencing, so that your cat can roam your property without being able to flee. The RSPCA recommends a fence at least two metres high, with rolling cylinders and smooth metal or plastic sheeting on top that make it impossible for cats to get a good grip for climbing.

The easiest and cheapest way is to keep them indoors at all times. You could install cat-proof fly screens so that your cat can benefit from outdoor sights, smells and sounds without escaping. This works best with a new kitten, as the sudden confinement of an older cat used to roaming may cause stress.