Regulated veterinary procedures certificates

The Queensland Animal Care and Protection Act 2001 (the Act) regulates certain procedures that can be performed on animals. The Act also requires veterinary surgeons’ certificates to accompany an animal throughout its life.

Under the Act, only a veterinary surgeon may perform the following regulated procedures:

• cropping a dogs' ears (maximum penalty of $14,375)
• docking a dogs’ tail (maximum penalty of $14,375)
• docking the tails of cattle or horses (maximum penalty of $43,125 or 1 year's imprisonment)
• debarking a dog (maximum penalty of $43,125 or 1 year's imprisonment)
• removing a cats' claws (maximum penalty of $43,125 or 1 year's imprisonment).

The veterinary surgeon must consider if the procedure is in the interest of the animal’s welfare. Cosmetic reasons are not acceptable. For dog debarking procedures, the veterinary surgeon must also consider if debarking is the only option other than destroying the dog.

A certificate template for Queensland veterinarians can be found here. Veterinary surgeons may adapt the template to suit their requirements. Certificates are required for regulated procedures that have been performed since enactment of the Animal Care and Protections Amendment Act in December 2022.