Minns Government Introduces Bill for NSW’s First Independent Office of Animal Welfare

Editor's Note:

The NSW Government has introduced legislation to establish the state's first statutory, independent Office of Animal Welfare. The new office will sit within the Premier's Department and oversee the performance and $12.8 million budget allocated to RSPCA NSW and Animal Welfare League NSW for enforcement activities.

Below is the official media release issued by Minister for Agriculture, Tara Moriarty.

OFFICIAL MEDIA RELEASE

Minns Government introduces Bill to establish NSW’s first independent Office of Animal Welfare

Minister for Agriculture and Western NSW — 13 Oct 2026

The Minns Labor Government is introducing a Bill to Parliament today to establish NSW’s first independent Office of Animal Welfare, delivering on a key election commitment to strengthen transparency and accountability of the organisations responsible for enforcing animal welfare laws in NSW.

The Bill will establish a new statutory Office of Animal Welfare to oversee the performance, and review public funding provided to RSPCA NSW and Animal Welfare League NSW, that is used for enforcement activities and ensure it is used in line with community expectations.

In the 2026-27 Budget, these organisations were allocated $12.8 million in government funding to carry out animal welfare enforcement functions under the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act (POCTA).

The Office of Animal Welfare is part of the Minns Labor Government’s broader reform to modernise the state’s animal welfare laws and ensure effective protections for animals, and will enhance community confidence by:

• Delivering independent advice, reviews and recommendations related to animal welfare and to the organisations entrusted with animal welfare enforcement powers
• Making recommendations on issues relating to enforcement funding for approved charitable organisations to the NSW government
• Receiving, investigating and reporting on complaints from the public relating to enforcement actions by these organisations
• Promoting best-practice compliance and enforcement across the animal welfare sector through greater coordination, information sharing and performance oversight.

It is proposed the Office will sit within the Premier’s Department portfolio and report to the Minister for Agriculture with responsibility under POCTA.

This Bill delivers the final stage of the Minns Government's comprehensive reform of animal welfare, to modernise its legal framework, its operations and its oversight. At the same time the government has increased annual funding to the RSPCA and Animal Welfare League for enforcement action.

The Minns Government has strengthened animal welfare in NSW by:

• Banning puppy farms, regulating dog breeders and strengthening rules for selling puppies
• Enacting reforms that prevent individuals convicted of serious animal cruelty offences from keeping animals or working with animals
• Increasing funding for RSPCA NSW and Animal Welfare League NSW to expand and enhance their animal welfare enforcement activities
• Proposing improved animal welfare regulations and enforcement powers through the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (Enforcement and Operational Powers) Bill 2026 – the most comprehensive reform to the state’s animal welfare laws in years.

Minister for Agriculture, Tara Moriarty, said:

"The establishment of an independent and statutory NSW Office of Animal Welfare delivers on a major commitment of the Minns Labor Government and represents another significant step forward in our modernisation of animal welfare."

"For the first time, there will be an independent body to review and advise on matters relating to the funding of RSPCA NSW and AWL NSW, which will receive a combined $12.8 million in the 2026-27 financial year from our government."

"The new Office will ensure animal welfare enforcement functions are carried out effectively and consistently to strengthen public confidence in this important service for the community."

"The Minns Government is committed to improving animal welfare standards and this reform will ensure there is clear, independent oversight to support better outcomes for animals and the community."

Photo Credit: hero photo by 12photostory on Unsplash

Keeping Hearts and Homes Together: Inside CANA’s 2025–26 Impact Report

12,769 adoptions, 3,518 animals returned to their owners, and national advocacy to help people and pets stay together.

For millions of Australians, a dog or cat isn't just a pet—they are family. Yet every day, loving owners face heartbreaking choices due to housing shortages, rising living costs, aged care transitions, and domestic crises.

Today, Companion Animal Network Australia (CANA) has released its 2025–26 Impact Report, showcasing a year defined by vital frontline rescue work, ground-breaking national policy advocacy, and life-changing support for pets and their humans.

Frontline Care: Rescue, Reunification, and Community Support

Over the past year, CANA’s member agencies worked tirelessly on the ground to give vulnerable animals a second chance:

• 12,769 adoptions were facilitated across Australia.
• 3,518 lost animals were successfully reunited with their relieved owners.
• Over 60,000 animals received community support each year—including emergency boarding and reduced-cost or fully funded veterinary care.*

While adoption and rescue remain vital safety nets, CANA is increasingly focusing on prevention—helping pet parents navigate hardships so animals never have to enter the shelter system in the first place.

“Rescue and adoption services are essential, but we also need to support people before they reach the point of surrendering a pet,” explains CANA Acting CEO Julie Jensen.

“Losing a much-loved animal can cause significant heartbreak and emotional distress. By helping people keep their pets, we can protect the human-animal bond and prevent the pain of unnecessary separation.”

Tackling the Root Causes of Pet Surrender

The newly released report highlights growing pressures on Australian households. Over the 2025–26 period:

• Surrenders increased to 32% of all animals entering member care (up from 25% the previous year).
• Renting issues caused 16% of these surrenders (up from 13%).

To combat this trend, CANA actively lobbies governments and industries across key areas—including rental reform, access to affordable vet care, homelessness support, and domestic and family violence responses.

“For millions of Australians, pets are family. Yet the policies and services designed to support human wellbeing too often fail to recognise the important role pets play in people’s lives,” says Ms Jensen.

“When someone is facing housing difficulties, entering aged care, experiencing domestic and family violence or struggling to afford veterinary treatment, keeping their pet can become much harder. We need practical support and policies that recognise the importance of the human-animal bond and help people and their pets stay together.”

Championing Pets in Aged Care

One of CANA’s flagship campaigns centres on older Australians and their animal companions.

According to CANA’s 2025 Status of Pets in Aged Care Survey, an overwhelming 96% of respondents believe aged care residents should be allowed to keep their pets.

To turn this community expectation into reality, CANA is advocating for funded, in-home pet care assistance for seniors and producing practical toolkits for aged care facilities to help them become pet-inclusive.

• Resources for Caregivers & Providers: You can view, download, and share these practical tools at petfriendlyagedcare.com.au.

A Positive Shift in Feline Welfare

The report also brought encouraging news regarding kitten populations:

• Cats under six months old accounted for 34% of all feline intakes, a significant drop from just over 50% the previous year.

This drop highlights the real-world impact of ongoing community education and funded desexing initiatives—proving that targeted prevention programs can significantly ease pressure on shelters.

Looking Ahead: The ‘One Welfare’ Framework

Guided by its 2026–2029 Strategic Plan, CANA is shaping its national roadmap around the One Welfare framework—a philosophy that recognises human wellbeing, animal welfare, and environmental health are deeply interconnected.

By linking frontline shelter care with national legislative advocacy, CANA is helping build an Australia where no one has to choose between their home, their health, and their best friend.

How You Can Support CANA Today

• Read the Full Impact Report: Download the complete 2025–26 Impact Report directly from the CANA Media Center.
• Spread the Word: Share CANA’s Pet Friendly Aged Care resources with aged care workers, local MPs, and friends.

* Note: The annual community-care figure is based on member reporting of veterinary services, reduced-cost or fully funded veterinary care, and emergency boarding. Community-care averages were calculated using Animal Welfare League Queensland’s FY 2024–25 data and Lort Smith’s calendar year 2025 data.

Photo credits (all supplied): Dogs' Home of Tasmania (lead adoption image); Lort Smith (aged care and pet therapy photos).

Ten years after the reversal of the state ban, MPs and leading welfare groups unite to demand an end to public funding and a planned phase-out in NSW

Sydney, NSW — Ten years after the NSW Government reversed its landmark decision to ban greyhound racing, a powerful coalition of MPs, city leaders, and major animal welfare organisations have issued an open letter calling on Premier Chris Minns and the NSW Parliament to commit to a planned phase-out of the industry and an immediate end to public funding.

The open letter coincides with two key milestones this week: a peaceful protest outside NSW Parliament House this morning and the final race meeting at Sydney's historic Wentworth Park racetrack in Glebe on Friday, 16 October.

A Decade of Industry Data

Data from the Federal Parliamentary Library and the regulator, the Greyhound Welfare and Integrity Commission (GWIC), reveals that since July 2017—when the original state ban was scheduled to take effect:

• Over 600 greyhounds have died from racetrack injuries in NSW.

• More than 25,000 dogs have suffered injuries on state tracks.

• Over $200 million in taxpayer funds has been directed to prop up the greyhound racing industry.

Animal Justice Party MP Emma Hurst highlighted that while the closure of Wentworth Park marks a significant shift, dog welfare remains severely compromised across the rest of the state.

"The closure of Wentworth Park brings to an end nearly a century of misery and death for countless dogs," said Ms. Hurst. "Unfortunately, there are still 16 other tracks where greyhounds are being forced into injury and death... we need to continue to shut down all of these tracks so that greyhounds can live out their lives safely."

Key Advocacy Voices Demand Action

The joint initiative brings together political representatives—including Emma Hurst (Animal Justice Party), Abigail Boyd and Kobi Shetty (Greens NSW), Mehreen Faruqi (Australian Greens), independent MPs Alex Greenwich and Jacqui Scruby, and City of Sydney Lord Mayor Clover Moore—alongside premier animal protection groups such as Animals Australia, Coalition for the Protection of Greyhounds (CPG), Companion Animal Network Australia, Alliance for Animals, PETA, Four Paws, Animal Liberation, and Voiceless.

Kylie Field, NSW Director for the Coalition for the Protection of Greyhounds (CPG), emphasised the growing divide between public expectations and government spending:

"The industry has failed to reform, and hundreds of dogs have died racing since the reversal of the Baird Government ban. Dogs are still being doped, cannot find homes, and are suffering untold cruelty... It's an industry that doesn't deserve a cent of public money and the Minns Government must stop taxpayer funding of this cruel business."

Animals Australia Director Jo Webb noted that despite major regulatory attempts over the past decade, systemic issues remain entrenched across the sport:

"Animals Australia’s 2015 investigation into live baiting was a catalyst for attempted reforms. Yet today, little has changed for the dogs. Greyhound racing has had its chance... no amount of regulation can mitigate the systemic cruelty it causes."

Upcoming Public Action

A second public rally supporting the call for a state-wide phase-out will take place later this week:

• When: Friday, 16 October 2026 at 5:00 PM

• Where: Millard Reserve, Wentworth Park Road, Glebe NSW (coinciding with the final race meeting at the track)

With public sentiment continuing to turn against commercial animal racing and sports betting, welfare advocates stress that taxpayer funds would be far better directed toward rehoming initiatives and genuine companion animal care across New South Wales.

Hero Image Credit: Akiko Campbell via Pixabay

Brisbane’s Sold-Out Pupcake & Sip Event Heads to Sydney This November

After making waves in Queensland with a debut that sold out in just 12 days, Australia’s most talked-about dog-friendly social experience is heading south. Pupcake & Sip will make its official Sydney arrival on Sunday, 15 November 2026, bringing pet parents together for an afternoon of creative decorating, gourmet dining, and luxury dog care.

The event celebrates the extraordinary bond people share with their pets, reflecting a modern movement where dogs are no longer just waiting at home — they are cherished companions, confidants, and integral members of the family included in life’s special celebrations.

What is Pupcake & Sip?

Pupcake & Sip is a unique hybrid of a hands-on creative workshop, a bottomless long lunch, and a stylish community catch-up. 

Guests learn to design and decorate custom, dog-safe cupcakes crafted in the detailed likeness of their own pups while enjoying free-flowing sparkling wine, Aperol Spritz, and artisanal cheese and charcuterie boards.

Rather than simply allowing dogs on-site, the event treats four-legged guests as true VIPs from start to finish. 

To create a completely stress-free environment for both dogs and owners, every pup is provided with their own dedicated bed, access to expert on-site dog nannies, and a curated enrichment play space. 

This allows human guests to relax, sip, and connect without leaving their favourite family member behind.

Who Is Behind the Event?

Operating under the community umbrella Bark People Club, the experience is co-hosted by a passionate trio of female founders spanning three distinct generations:

Pupcake & Sip co-hosts Katie Selby, Angel Oliver with assistance dog Bentley, and Adara Tavares.

✓ Angel Oliver (@bentleythegoldendigger & Brisbane Dog Friendly), who created the event alongside her psychiatric assistance dog, Bentley, to foster meaningful community connection and belonging for pet parents.

✓ Adara Tavares (Woof Choi Kee), a master pet baker whose personalised edible creations transform beloved dogs into intricate, dog-safe cakes and treats.

✓ Katie Selby (The Puptail Society), a Sydney local behind fine-dining dog mocktails and curated luxury lifestyle experiences for humans and hounds.

"I want to create experiences that are genuinely fun — where you can bring your dog, try something creative, and meet people you'd never have crossed paths with otherwise," shares co-founder Angel Oliver. "Our dogs are what bring us together. The friendships are what I hope keep growing afterwards."

Why Attend?

Beyond offering dog lovers an elegant afternoon out, Pupcake & Sip carries a deep philanthropic spirit. Building on the success of its inaugural Brisbane gathering — which raised more than $1,300 for animal welfare — proceeds from the Sydney event will go directly toward supporting the vital work of the RSPCA.

Where & Event Details

When: Sunday, 15 November 2026

Where: The Botanica, 2 Laguna Street, Vaucluse, Sydney, NSW 2030 

Tickets & Updates: Venue announcements, session times, and ticket sales will be released via Instagram at @barkpeopleclub.

The Puppy Cup 2026 Partners With Lucy’s Project to Protect Women, Children and Pets

The Puppy Cup is back for its third edition, offering a kinder, animal-focused alternative to the traditional Melbourne Cup season. Founded by actress, designer, and entrepreneur Crystal Lynn, the annual philanthropic evening hosted by fine jewellery Maison Mon Petit Amour brings together animal lovers, philanthropists, social champions, and celebrities to raise vital funds for animal welfare.

This year, The Puppy Cup has announced national charity Lucy’s Project as its 2026 featured charity partner. All auction and raffle proceeds from the glamorous gala will go directly toward supporting safety and raising awareness for women, children, and their pets escaping family violence.

The partnership comes through Manolo’s Little Legacy, the philanthropic arm of Mon Petit Amour.

Why This Issue Matters

The intersection between pet care and domestic safety is a critical issue across Australia:

• 73% of Australian households own a pet.
• 1 in 4 women have experienced domestic violence.
• Very little crisis accommodation currently accepts animals.

In August 2026, Lucy’s Project launched its National Roadmap for Change to Prevent and End Family Violence against People and Animals at Australian Parliament House, setting out 33 recommendations for national reform.

Monique Dam, CEO of Lucy’s Project, highlighted the urgent need for safe options:

"People who use domestic and family violence will often threaten to harm, harm or even kill animals to intimidate the women and children who love them. Women and children who fear for the safety and wellbeing of their animals will often delay leaving a partner or parent using violence, if they do not have anywhere safe to live together."

"Lucy's Project is delighted to be partnering with Mon Petit Amour Manolo for the Puppy Cup. It's such a heartwarming way to celebrate the love between people and their fur babies, and to send a strong message to the community that we stand with all victim-survivors of domestic and family violence — including women, children and animals."

Crystal Lynn, Founder of Mon Petit Amour and The Puppy Cup, shared her vision behind the event:

"I don't imagine one event changes the world. I think of it more as a soft ripple. I wanted to find another language for advocacy — to create something beautiful and joyful, but with meaning underneath it. We are very proud to be supporting Lucy's Project this year, whose work sits precisely at the intersection between animal welfare and domestic violence. Animals are frequently caught within patterns of coercion and abuse directed at people."

What to Expect On the Night

The third edition of The Puppy Cup takes place on Sunday, 1 November 2026, at the InterContinental Sydney Double Bay as an intimate gathering of around 50 guardians, philanthropists, and animal-welfare leaders.

Guests will hear special addresses from The Hon. Emma Hurst MLC, Crystal Lynn, and Monique Dam.

Event Highlights:

• Best-Dressed Canine Catwalk & live music
• Live Portraiture by artist Grace Chow, plus a limited number of live portrait sittings with renowned Australian artist Charles Billich
• Pet Communicator live readings
• Gourmet Dining for both human guests and four-legged companions (including dog-friendly cake pops, canapés, and champagne-flute treats!)
• Charity Raffle featuring an InterContinental holiday package, a glamping escape, a Casa Grain wine collection, gold-leaf sparkling wine, and a top-of-the-range Mon Petit Amour Manolo lead.

Event & Ticket Details

• When: Sunday, 1 November 2026, from 5:30pm-8:30pm
• Where: InterContinental Sydney, 33 Cross Street
  Double Bay, NSW 2028
• Tickets & Info: Secure your tickets and learn more at www.thepuppycup.com

Bringing Your Dog?

One dog is included with each paid guest ticket. Dog places are limited and available on a first come, first served basis.

Dogs are very welcome to join us; we simply ask that they remain on a leash throughout the event.

Dietary Requirements

Please let us know if you or your pup have any dietary requirements so we can accommodate these where possible.

About the Organisers & Charity

• The Puppy Cup & Mon Petit Amour: Mon Petit Amour is a Sydney-based fine jewellery Maison founded by designer Crystal Lynn, handcrafted by artisans in Japan and a Paris-based couturier in 18k gold, platinum, diamonds, and Akoya pearls. Its annual event, The Puppy Cup, directs funds through Manolo's Little Legacy to support human and animal family safety. Learn more at www.monpetitamour.com.
• Lucy’s Project: A national charity driving evidence-based reform to keep people and animals safe from domestic violence through its CARE approach (Collaboration, Advocacy, Research, and Education). Learn more at www.lucysproject.com.

Photo Credit: Hero shot - Helena Lopes (Pexels-4453156) - All supplied

The Halloween Treat That Could Be More Frightening Than Chocolate for Your Dog

Chocolate may be the spooky season hazard most pet owners know to avoid, but Pet Insurance Australia is warning of another, potentially deadly ingredient hiding in lolly bags, handbags, and kitchen cupboards this Halloween: Xylitol.

While trick-or-treaters prepare for their sweet hauls, pet owners need to look beyond cocoa. Xylitol—a sweetener commonly used in sugar-free chewing gum, lollies, mints, baked goods, and even some specialty peanut butters—can trigger a sudden, dangerous drop in a dog’s blood sugar and lead to severe liver damage.

Why Xylitol Is So Dangerous to Dogs

Unlike humans, dogs process artificial sweeteners very differently. When a dog ingests xylitol, it stimulates a rapid release of insulin from the pancreas, causing their blood glucose levels to plummet dangerously low (hypoglycemia). At higher exposures, it can cause acute liver failure.

“Most pet owners know chocolate and dogs don’t mix, but xylitol simply doesn’t have the same level of awareness,” says Nadia Crighton, spokesperson for Pet Insurance Australia.

“Halloween is exactly the type of occasion where we can have bowls and bags of unfamiliar sweets scattered around the house. A dog doesn’t know the difference between a regular lolly and a sugar-free one, so checking the ingredients and keeping the entire Halloween haul out of reach is incredibly important.”

Ingredients to Watch For on Labels

Xylitol isn't always listed under its common name. Check ingredient labels carefully for:

• Xylitol
• Birch Sugar
• Additive Code E967

It can turn up in unexpected places beyond lolly bags, including peanut butter, toothpastes, mouthwashes, chewable vitamins, supplements, and human medications.

Critical Signs of Xylitol Poisoning

Depending on your dog's size, the product, and the dose consumed, even small exposures can prove life-threatening. Watch for:

• Vomiting
• Weakness or lethargy
• Loss of coordination or wobbliness
• Tremors
• Sudden collapse
• Seizures

If you suspect your dog has eaten anything containing xylitol, do not wait for symptoms to appear. Contact your vet or the Animal Poisons Helpline (1300 869 738) immediately, and keep the product packaging for reference.

Chocolate Still Deserves a Fright

While xylitol poses an acute threat, chocolate remains a high-volume hazard during spooky season.

Chocolate contains theobromine and caffeine, both of which dogs metabolise far slower than humans. The threat level varies based on the dog’s weight and the concentration of cocoa:

Chocolate Type	Concentration & Risk
Cocoa Powder & Baking Chocolate	Extreme risk — Very high concentrations of theobromine.
Dark Chocolate	High risk — Requires urgent veterinary evaluation even in small amounts.
Milk Chocolate	Moderate risk — Threat increases rapidly for small dogs or larger quantities.
White Chocolate	Low chemical risk — Low theobromine, but high fat content can cause pancreatitis.

Symptoms of chocolate toxicity include vomiting, diarrhoea, restlessness, excessive thirst, elevated heart rate, muscle tremors, abnormal heart rhythms, and seizures.

“Never assume that because your dog has only eaten a small amount of chocolate they’ll be fine,” Crighton warns.

“A small dog getting into a block of dark chocolate is a very different situation to a large dog stealing a tiny piece of milk chocolate. Your vet can assess the risk based on the dog, the chocolate, and the amount consumed.”

Beware the Hidden Lolly Bag Hazards

The danger doesn’t end once the sweets are consumed:

• Wrappers and Foil: Plastic and metallic packaging retain sweet scents and can cause severe gastrointestinal blockages if swallowed.
• Dried Fruit: Grapes, raisins, sultanas, and currants (commonly baked into festive treats) can cause acute kidney failure in dogs.
• Party Leftovers: Wooden skewers, toothpick flags, and fatty food scraps present choking and perforation risks.

“The safest approach is to treat the entire Halloween lolly haul as off-limits to pets,” Crighton emphasizes.

“Put it somewhere genuinely inaccessible. A closed bag sitting on the floor or a bowl pushed towards the back of the kitchen bench isn't necessarily safe when you have a determined dog.”

Dress-Up Safety & Front Door Commotion

Beyond dietary hazards, costume choices and trick-or-treaters can create physical and mental strain for your pets.

For full details on keeping nervous dogs calm when trick-or-treaters arrive, revisit our guide on Halloween Fright Night for Luna.

Costume Rules

• Check the Fit: Costumes must never restrict movement, vision, hearing, or breathing.

• Avoid Hazards: Watch for loose ties, dangling beads, or buttons that can be chewed off and swallowed.

• Respect Stress Signals: If your pet freezes, tries to pull off the outfit, or hides, remove it immediately.

Doorbell Anxiety & Escape Risks

Repeated knocks, loud costumes, and doors opening continuously can panic even friendly dogs.

• Keep nervous dogs in a quiet, secure room with familiar bedding and water.
• Double-check that your dog's microchip contact details are up to date in case they slip out an open door.

“Halloween should be fun, and a little preparation means our pets don't need to pay the price for the festivities,” Crighton says.

“Keep the sweets up high, read the labels, supervise costumes, and give pets somewhere quiet to escape the commotion.”