Guidelines for the Care and Welfare of Animals in Retail Pet Shops - Northern Territory Animal Welfare Advisory Committee

Sep 15, 2026

Upload by Levi

These guidelines establish the expected standards for retail pet shops in the Northern Territory for the care, management, and trade of companion animals. The code sets responsibilities for proprietors and trained staff, covering housing design, hygiene, security, pest control, animal care and management, and animal health. It also addresses food and water provisions, sales handling, transport requirements, and species-specific needs, supported by minimum cage and display cage size appendices.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryHealthcare

FormatPDF

Pages24

Reading Time1 h 0 min

AccessFree to download

Introduction

The Proprietor

Staff

Non-livestock retail operations

Housing

Animal Enclosures

Cage Sizes

Temperature

Ventilation

Security

Hygiene

Staff Health and Safety

Pest Control

Animal Care & Management

Animal Health

Food & Water

Sales of Animals

Transport

Special Requirements of Different Species

Appendices

Minimum Animal Cage and Pen Sizes

Minimum Display Bird Cages Indoor/Outdoor

Stocking Density Guidelines - Aquarium Fish

Recommendations for Construction of Glass Aquaria

NORTHERN TERRITORY ANIMAL WELFARE ADVISORY COMMITTEE GUIDELINES FOR THE CARE AND WELFARE OF ANIMALS IN RETAIL PET SHOPS CONTENTS 1. INTRODUCTION 3 2. THE PROPRIETOR 3 3. STAFF 3 4. NON-LIVESTOCK RETAIL OPERATIONS 4 5. HOUSING 4 6. SECURITY 5 7. HYGIENE 6 8. STAFF HEALTH AND SAFETY 6 9. PEST CONTROL 6 10. ANIMAL CARE & MANAGEMENT 7 11. ANIMAL HEALTH 8 12. FOOD & WATER 9 13. SALES OF ANIMALS 9 14. TRANSPORT 11 15. SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS OF DIFFERENT SPECIES 11 APPENDICES I. MINIMUM ANIMAL CAGE AND PEN SIZES 19 II. MINIMUM DISPLAY BIRD CAGES INDOOR/OUTDOOR 21 III. STOCKING DENSITY GUIDELINES-AQUARIUM FISH 22 IV. RECOMMENDATIONS FOR CONSTRUCTION OF GLASS AQUARIA 23 DEPARTMENT OF LOCAL GOVERNMENT AND HOUSING [www. nt. gov . au/](www. nt. gov . au/ animalwelfare)[ animalwelfare](www. nt. gov . au/ animalwelfare) 1. INTRODUCTION This Code of Practice sets the standard expected of retail pet shops for the care, management and trade of companion animals. This Code of Practice was developed in consultation with the Pet Industry Association of Australia and the Northern Territory Animal Welfare Advisory Committee. Business owners, managers and members and their staff should be conversant with and compliant to all aspects of this Code of Practice relevant to their business. Furthermore it is the responsibility of every business operator to be fully conversant with and compliant to all relevant Territory and Federal statutory rules and regulations impacting on their pet industry operation including wildlife regulations. This Code of Practice may be revised by the Northern Territory Government. 2. THE PROPRIETOR Proprietors have the responsibility of providing for the needs of animals under the control and ownership of the business. Specifically: 􀂃 The provision of housing and equipment that suits the physical, behavioural and social requirements of the animals kept on the premises. 􀂃 The protection of the animals from people – children in particular, other animals and adverse environmental conditions. 􀂃 Sufficient space for the animals to stand, move around, stretch and rest. 􀂃 Appropriate fresh food and water to maintain good health. 􀂃 Protection from disease, distress or injury. 􀂃 Clean and hygienic conditions in the business environment. 􀂃 Ensure that no item or product is offered for sale that does not conform to Territory and Federal regulations or that may endanger the safety of the user or animals. 3. STAFF Proprietors must train or employ experienced staff to handle and manage animals in their care and ensure that: 􀂃 All staff are aware of their responsibilities towards animals and are competent to meet these responsibilities. 􀂃 All staff are aware of their obligations under this Code of Practice. 􀂃 Formal training is undertaken, if available, such as an accredited qualification in Animal Care & Management (Companion Animal Services) . 􀂃 Staff members are knowledgeable and experienced in the care of each species of animal kept or are receiving appropriate training. 􀂃 Staff have a good knowledge of the different diets required for the species of animals under their control. 􀂃 Staff are knowledgeable in the use of medications to treat animals under their control and seek professional veterinary advice when appropriate. DEPARTMENT OF LOCAL GOVERNMENT AND HOUSING [www. nt. gov . au/](www. nt. gov . au/ animalwelfare)[ animalwelfare](www. nt. gov . au/ animalwelfare) 􀂃 Staff are trained to provide appropriate food and accessories specific to the companion animal at the time of sale of a new pet. 􀂃 Staff are appointed not only on their technical knowledge but also on their demonstrated compassionate attitude to animals. 􀂃 Having Certificated First Aid trained staff members is highly recommended for all businesses. Businesses with 25+ staff are required by law to have certified staff as well as a designated First Aid kit on site at all

FAQs

What standards do retail pet shops need to meet for companion animals?

Retail pet shops are expected to meet the code of practice standards for care, management, and trade of companion animals, with owners and staff familiar with and compliant to the code and relevant statutory rules.

What responsibilities do proprietors have toward animals in a pet shop?

Proprietors must provide suitable housing and equipment, protect animals from people and environmental conditions, ensure adequate space, provide appropriate food and water, prevent disease, distress, or injury, maintain clean and hygienic conditions, and ensure that only compliant items are offered for sale.

What housing and temperature requirements apply to caged animals?

Housing must minimize risk of injury, disease, theft, or escape and use impervious, non-toxic, washable materials. Caged animals must be kept within humidity and temperature ranges that minimize stress, with limits stated for room temperature and rules for removal when outside temperatures exceed a specified threshold.

Sep 15, 2026

Upload by Levi