AVA Submission on NSW Animal Welfare Regulations

The AVA has once again demonstrated its commitment to advancing animal welfare and the essential role of veterinarians in welfare discussions through its submission to the NSW Draft Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Regulation 2025.

The submission highlights the importance of evidence-based, humane approaches to animal care and urges the NSW Government to align the new regulations with AVA policies and National Standards for a consistent, science-backed approach to animal welfare.

The AVA submission emphasises that regulations should move beyond basic needs, instead aiming to ensure animals enjoy a "good life." This includes providing environments that encourage natural behaviours, offer safety and comfort, and promote physical and mental wellbeing. A focus of the submission is the recognition of animals as sentient beings—capable of experiencing complex emotions such as pain, fear, and pleasure. This approach aligns with both contemporary science and growing community expectations about how animals are treated.

The AVA calls for harmonisation across jurisdictions. We believe that consistent, enforceable regulations safeguard animal welfare and help maintain the social licence of animal-based industries, promoting sustainable and humane practices.

Veterinary professionals play a critical role in this process, bringing decades of scientific knowledge and practical expertise to the table. The AVA will continue to advocate for contemporary animal welfare based regulations and veterinarians' essential role in welfare discussions.  

Find a full copy of the submission here.