Are there any legal requirements I should be aware of?

At Pawshake, pet welfare and safety is our number-one priority.

We expect no less than the highest standards of professional and responsible practice amongst our pet sitting community, including complying to local and state laws and by laws pertaining to pet sitting and all related services on Pawshake.

Take note: Pawshake is a platform connecting pet sitters with pet owners and is not an employer. As such, pet sitters are responsible for their own compliance with state and council regulations.

Pet Sitting Codes of Practice in Australian States and Territories

Please familiarise yourself with the following Codes of Practice for pet sitting in the various states and territories throughout Australia. As part of the terms and conditions of using Pawshake, all of our sitters are responsible for correctly following these Codes of Practice when promoting their services through the Pawshake platform.

• New South Wales (https://www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/animals-and-livestock/animal-welfare/animal-care-and-welfare/other/companion-animal-files/nsw-animal-welfare-code-of-practice-no-5-dogs-and-cats-in-animal-boarding-establishments)
• Australian Capital Territory (http://www.legislation.act.gov.au/a/1992-45/di.asp)
• Queensland (https://www.qld.gov.au/families/government/pets/pages/pet-laws.html)

• Northern Territory) (http://www.animalwelfare.nt.gov.au/national_standards_and_guidelines

• Victoria (http://agriculture.vic.gov.au/pets/domestic-animal-businesses/boarding-establishments/code-of-practice-for-the-operation-of-boarding-establishments)

• Tasmania (http://dpipwe.tas.gov.au/)

• South Australia (http://www.environment.sa.gov.au/managing-natural-resources/plants-and-animals/Animal_welfare/Codes_of_practice/Animal_welfare_codes_of_practice)

• Western Australia - there are no state Codes of Practice at this time

Local Council Pet Sitting Laws

We expect all Pawshake sitters to be familiar with their own local council laws and policies pertaining to pet sitting and other related services.

To find your local council online, visit http://www.australia.gov.au/about-government/states-territories-and-local-government and click on the local government directory that corresponds with your state or territory.

Enter your suburb into the directory and you will be redirected to your council website for further information about pet sitting laws in your local area.

We strongly advise our sitters to contact their local council directly if they want to board dogs at their home, to discuss this further.

Please contact us if you have any concerns.