Model Animal Welfare Act

An Act to provide for the protection of the lives and welfare of animals, recognition of their sentience and intrinsic value, and the progressive development of a broader based humane ethic and ‘culture of caring’ in society. This Act is based on internationally accepted moral and scientific principles for animal welfare and includes: humane treatment and care; the prohibition of cruelty; the development of animal welfare structures, procedures and controls; and education and awareness.

Explanatory Notes

To facilitate the understanding of this Act as well as for information purposes – aspects which, from the authors’ point of view, may need additional clarification have been further expanded below.

Index

Chapter 1:

Preliminary Provisions

Section 1

Title, Commencement and Conflicting Provisions

Section 2

Objectives

Section 3

Support for Animal Welfare

Section 4

Scope of Application

Section 5

Definitions

Section 6

Fundamental Principles of Animal Welfare

Chapter 2:

General Provisions

Section 7

Prohibition of Cruelty to Animals

Section 8

Prohibited Interventions Performed on Animals

Section 9

Prohibition of Killing Animals

Section 10

Prohibition of Passing on, Selling, Offering for Sale, Purchasing or Possessing Certain Animals (Doomed Animals)

Section 11

Obligation to Grant First Aid

Chapter 3:

Keeping of Animals/Care of Animals

A.

General Regulations

Section 12

Principles of Keeping Animals

Section 13

Qualifications of the Animal Keeper

Section 14

Care in Case of Illness of Injury

B.

Special Regulations

Section 15

Principles of Animal Breeding

Section 16

Keeping of Animals within the Scope of Business Activities

Section 17

Sale and Trading of Animals

Section 18

Abandoned, Stray or Lost Animals and Confiscated Animals

Section 19

General and Commercial Transport of Animals

Section 20

Humane Killing and Slaughter of Animals

Section 21

Principles of Animal Training

Chapter 4:

Specific Categories of Animal Use

Section 22

Companion Animals (Pet Animals)

Section 23

Animals Kept for Farming Purposes

Section 24

Animals Used for Experimentation (including Science, Research and Testing)

Section 25

Wildlife and Animals Kept in Zoos/Aquaria

Section 26

Animals Used for Work

Section 27

Animals Used for Sports, Leisure and Entertainment

Chapter 5:

Implementation and Enforcement Provisions

Section 28

Authorities

Section 29

Authorisations

Section 30

Nature of Enforcement

Section 31

Powers of Enforcement Bodies

Section 32

Improvement Notices

Section 33

Duty to Alert and Report Offences and Duty to File A Criminal Complaint

Section 34

Charges and Fees

Section 35

Animal Welfare Committee

Section 36

Animal Welfare Ombudsman

Section 37

Animal Welfare and Protection Organisations/Humane Societies

Section 38

Animal Shelters, Sanctuaries and Wildlife Rehabilitation Centres

Section 39

Veterinarians and Para-Veterinarians

Section 40

Animal Welfare Research

Section 41

Consumer Information

Section 42

Animal Welfare Measurement and Impact Assessment

Chapter 6:

Penal and Final/Concluding Provisions

Section 43

Penal and Administrative Fine Provisions

Section 44

Prohibition of Keeping Animals or of Having Contact with Animals and Forfeiture

Section 45

Further Aspects