FELINE CONTROL COUNCIL (VIC) INC.

Members of the Feline Control Council (Victoria) Inc. (‘FCCV’) obtain special privileges under two Acts which apply to the keeping/breeding of cats. These are the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act 1986 (Vic), and Section 59 of Division 4 Part 4 of the Domestic Animals Act 1994 (Vic). The purpose of this code is to specify the minimum standards of accommodation, management, breeding and care that are appropriate to the physical and behavioural needs of cats housed in a breeding/business environment.

The code is to be observed by the owner, manager and all staff of a cat breeding/rearing business including all persons involved in the sale of an animal.

FCCV, along with other Breeding Cat and Dog Bodies is recognised as an under these Acts. Being an Applicable Organisation means that we are both expected and required to set and enforce our standards of care and breeding at a standard to be at least as high as the minimum standards required under these Acts. A requirement of membership of FCCV is that Members acknowledge that under its obligation as an Applicable Organisation (‘AO’) FCCV may be required to conduct checks and inspections of member facilities/breeding practices either in person or via video links, photographs & dedicated questionnaires. Members must, where reasonable, allow inspections of breeding premises by FCCV to ensure compliance with our Code of Practice, & provide all information as requested by FCCV at any time.

These codes are mandatory and apply to anyone including FCCV members, who hold a Domestic Animal Business (DAB) License or an enterprise that carries out the breeding of cats to sell.

According to the Code of Practice for the Operation of Breeding and Rearing Businesses the definition of “SELL”: as per the Wildlife Act 1975 (Vic) s.3(1) includes barter or exchange and also agreeing to sell or offering or exposing for sale or keeping or having in possession for sale or sending forwarding delivering or receiving for or on sale or authorising direction causing suffering permitting or attempting any of such acts or things.

These codes are based on the premise that our members are aware of and are conforming to State legislation as enshrined in the Domestic Animals Act 1994 and are in the process or have obtained from their Councils the available concessions in terms of the number of cats kept. It is also assumed that they have investigated their legal responsibilities under Local Laws within their own Municipality and have acquired all the requisite Planning Permits and Licenses to enable them to pursue their hobby of breeding cats.

FCCV is required to report on the manner in which they have resolved infringements of this Code by their members.