Animal legislation in your state

How long will your pet be safe?

Animal legislation varies greatly depending on where you live. We’ve compiled a list of holding times by state, but we recommend contacting your local council to check on the latest holding times.

• ACT
  An animal may be destroyed if the owner cannot be found within 7 days.
  
  
• NSW
  

  The Companion Animals Act requires you to notify your local Council within 24 hrs after your pet has been missing for 3 days (72 hours).

  A non-microchipped animal will be held at a pound for 7 days (or longer depending on the local Council law). A microchipped animal will be held in a pound for 14 days. At the end of this mandatory holding period, the pet/s become the property of the contractors and can be legally sold or euthanized.
  

  All impounded dogs and cats in NSW must be microchipped and lifetime registered before being released.

• NT
  The Northern Territory has no legislation with regard to minimum holding times for animals held in pounds.
  
  
• QLD
  An animal may be destroyed if the owner cannot be found within 3 days.
  
  
• SA
  An animal may be destroyed if the owner cannot be found within 3 days.
  
  
• TAS
  An animal may be destroyed if the owner cannot be found within 3 days.
  
  
• VIC 
  All animals (microchipped and non microchipped) are kept in a pound for eight (8) days.
  All impounded dogs and cats in Victoria must be microchipped and annually registered before being released from the pound.
  
  
• WA
  An animal may be destroyed if the owner cannot be found within 3 days.