About Us

Dog and Cat Management Board

The Dog and Cat Management Board of South Australia has been established under the Dog and Cat Management Act 1995 (the Act) and is the only statutory authority of its kind in Australia.

The Act provides powers and functions for councils to manage day-to-day enforcement and administration of the legislative provisions for the management of dogs and cats in the community.

The Act also provides a framework to resolve disputes and breaches of the legislation or Council by-laws through conciliation, thus reducing the need to resort to Court proceedings.

The Act defines the legal status of cats, provides for non-compulsory identification of cats to establish ownership and a head of power for councils to actively manage cats should they wish to do so.

On the 1st of October 2004 the Dog and Cat Management Act was amended. The composition of the Board as defined by the Act and by agreement between the Local Government Association and the Minister for Environment and Conservation, who jointly oversee the Board, that the administrative and executive support is provided by the Department for Environment and Heritage.

Who we are:

The Board consists of 9 members appointed by the Governer, of whom:

• four will be nominated by the Local Government Association
• four will be nominated by the Minister
• one, to chair the Board, will be jointly nominated by the Local Government Association and the Minister.

The members of the Board nominated by the Local Government Association under subsection (1)(a) must together have the following attributes:

• practical knowledge of and experience in local government, including local government processes, community consultation and the law as it applies to local government;
• experience in the administration of legislation;
• experience in finanical management;
• experience in education and training.

The members of the Board nominated by the Minister under subsection (1)(b) must together have the following attributes:

• experience in state government processes and the administration of legislation;
• veterinary experience in the care and treatment of dogs or cats;
• a demonstrated interest in the welfare of dogs and cats;
• a demonstrated interest in keeping and management of dogs;
• experience in community health or medicine.

What we do:

The Board has the following functions:

To plan and promote, and provide advice about, the effective management of dogs and cats throughout South Australia.

To oversee the administration and enforcement of the provisions of this Act relating to dogs, including:

• monitoring the administration and enforcement of this Act by councils;
• issuing guidelines and providing advice to councils about planning for the effective management of dogs,  keeping of registers under this Act, training for dog managment officers and the appropriate level of administration and enforcement in the circumstances prevailing in the area;
• otherwise providing support and assistance to councils to accredit dogs as disability dogs, guide dogs or hearing dogs.
• to inquire into and consider all proposed by-laws referred to it under this Act.

To undertake or facilitate research relating to dog and cat management.

To undertake or facilitate educational programs relating to dog or cat management.

To keep this Act under review and make recommendations to the Minister with respect ot the Act and regulations made under the Act.