Dog & Cat Breeder Complaints & Concerns

If you have concerns about a dog or cat breeder, it is important to submit a complaint to the relevant agency in your area. This may relate to the health or welfare of dogs, puppies, cats or kittens; suspected cruelty; or the conditions in which animals are being kept.

Without an official complaint, the authorities responsible for dealing with these issues may be unaware of the situation or unable to act.

Is an animal in immediate danger?

Contact the relevant animal welfare authority or police immediately. Use the state and territory contacts below to report suspected cruelty, neglect or abandonment. Northern Territory animal welfare reports should be made through the NT Government.

Jump to your state or territory
Queensland NSW Victoria WA NT SA ACT Tasmania

Where should you report your concern?

  • Animal cruelty, neglect or immediate welfare concerns: contact the appropriate RSPCA Inspectorate, government animal welfare authority or police.
  • Conduct by a registered breeder: contact the breeder’s registering council or association.
  • A purchase, refund or contractual dispute: consider the relevant consumer claims body in your state or territory.
  • A breeder listed on Perfect Pets: please let us know and read our complaints policy and reporting information.

Finding the correct dog or cat registering body

For concerns about a registered breeder, first identify the organisation shown on the breeder’s membership, registration or pedigree documents.

Dogs Australia pedigree breeders: Dogs Australia operates through one member body in each state and territory. The relevant member body is listed under each state and territory below. For more information, see our guide to Dogs Australia pedigree breeders and pedigree papers.

Registered cat breeders: Australia has three main national cat registering systems:

See our Australian cat councils guide for an overview of all three systems.

Queensland

Report animal cruelty – RSPCA Queensland

RSPCA Queensland Inspectorate

Report a cruelty case online

Phone: 1300 264 625

Email: [email protected]

Registered dog breeder complaints – Dogs Queensland

Dogs Queensland Complaints Procedure

Dogs Queensland complaint forms

Phone: (07) 3252 2661

Email: [email protected]

Website: Dogs Queensland

Registered cat breeder complaints

Queensland Government and consumer claims

Queensland Government Dog Breeder Register: report a breeder concern.

Consumer claims: Queensland Civil and Administrative Tribunal (QCAT).

New South Wales

Report animal cruelty – RSPCA NSW

Report a cruelty case online

Phone: 1300 278 358 or (02) 9770 7555

Registered dog breeder complaints – Dogs NSW

Dogs NSW complaint procedures

Phone: (02) 9834 3022

Email: [email protected]

Website: Dogs NSW

Animal Welfare League NSW

Inspectorate: (02) 8899 3333

Email: [email protected]

Animal Welfare League NSW on Perfect Pets

Registered cat breeder complaints

Consumer claims

NSW Civil and Administrative Tribunal (NCAT)

Victoria

Report animal cruelty – RSPCA Victoria

Report a cruelty case online

Phone: (03) 9224 2222

Registered dog breeder complaints – Dogs Victoria

Dogs Victoria complaint information

Phone: (03) 9788 2500

Email: [email protected]

Website: Dogs Victoria

Registered cat breeder complaints

Victorian Government and consumer claims

Find your local council through Know Your Council

To report animal cruelty call Agriculture Victoria on 136 186 or email [email protected].  Information can be found here Report animal cruelty - Victoria.

Consumer claims: Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal (VCAT).

Western Australia

Report animal cruelty – RSPCA Western Australia

Report a cruelty case online

Phone: 1300 278 358 or (08) 9209 9300

Registered dog breeder complaints – Dogs West

Dogs West complaint form

Dogs West disciplinary penalties

Phone: (08) 9455 1188

Email: [email protected]

Website: Dogs West

Registered cat breeder complaints

Western Australian Government and consumer claims

Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development – reporting animal cruelty

Claims: State Administrative Tribunal (SAT).

Northern Territory

Report animal cruelty

Northern Territory Government animal cruelty and neglect reporting information

Animal Welfare Branch: 1300 720 386

Email: [email protected]

Contact RSPCA Northern Territory

RSPCA NT: (08) 8984 3795

Registered dog breeder complaints – Dogs NT

Contact Dogs NT

Phone: (08) 8984 3570

Email: [email protected]

Website: Dogs NT

Registered cat breeder complaints

Other Northern Territory contacts

City of Darwin: cat and dog complaints.

Claims: Northern Territory small claims information.

South Australia

Report animal cruelty – RSPCA South Australia

Report a cruelty case online

Phone: 1300 477 722

Registered dog breeder complaints – Dogs SA

Contact Dogs SA

Phone: (08) 8349 4797

Email: [email protected]

Website: Dogs SA

Registered cat breeder complaints

Consumer claims

Courts Administration Authority of South Australia

Australian Capital Territory

Report animal cruelty – RSPCA ACT

Report a cruelty case online

Phone: 0407 078 221 or (02) 6287 8100

Registered dog breeder complaints – Dogs ACT

Dogs ACT complaint procedures

Phone: (02) 6241 4404

Email: [email protected]

Website: Dogs ACT

Registered cat breeder complaints

Tasmania

Report animal cruelty – RSPCA Tasmania

Report a cruelty case online

Phone: 1300 139 947

Registered dog breeder complaints – Dogs Tasmania

Contact Dogs Tasmania

Phone: (03) 6272 9443

Email: [email protected]

Website: Dogs Tasmania

Registered cat breeder complaints

Tasmanian Government

Department of Natural Resources and Environment Tasmania

Australia-wide animal cruelty information

RSPCA Australia – report animal cruelty

Contact details and external links last checked September 2026. Reporting responsibilities and complaint procedures can change. Please consult the linked organisation for its current requirements. If you believe any information on this page is out of date, please contact us.