Here we share key updates on new bills, draft regulations, and parliamentary developments and more — including the upcoming Animal Welfare Bill and efforts to strengthen breeding regulations — so you can track progress and take action when public participation is invited.
New Animal Welfare Bill
The South African Department of Agriculture is in the process of developing a new Animal Welfare Bill. This legislation has been in the making for several years and aims to modernize and consolidate South Africa’s fragmented animal welfare framework. A draft of the Bill is expected to be released for public comment in 2026. Once enacted, it is anticipated to repeal and replace several existing pieces of legislation, including the Animal Protection Act of 1962, the Performing Animals Protection Act of 1935, and the Animal Matters Amendment Act of 1993, creating a single, unified legal framework for animal welfare and protection.
Breeding Regulations for Companion Animals
In June 2025, The Paw Company, Pug Rescue South Africa presented and submitted a comprehensive set of draft breeding regulations to the Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Agriculture and the Department of Agriculture. The purpose is to address the massive overpopulation crisis of companion animals, which affects the animals, rescues, public health and safety, and the environment. Currently, the burden of the consequences falls squarely on the private rescues who do not receive government funding. We need the government to step up to prevent the collapse of the rescue industry because donations are down and surrenders are at an all-time high. Long-standing no-kill shelters now have to consider euthanasia for space, and shelters are closing rapidly. These proposed regulations are currently under review by the department for possible inclusion in the forthcoming Animal Welfare Bill. While inclusion in the bill is vital for long-term reform, the scale of the overpopulation crisis demands urgent interim measures, and the stakeholder team is actively working on solutions that can be implemented ahead of the bill’s finalization.
A Manifesto for Transforming Animal Protection in South Africa
The Animal Law Project (ALP) is a collaborative project aimed at transforming animal protection legislation in South Africa as a constitutional imperative, initiated by Animal Law Reform South Africa and Humane World for Animals South Africa (HSI-Africa).
Animal-Law-Project_Manifesto_2024
ALP Constitutional Amendment Submission
ALP-Joint-Constitutional-Review-Committee-Constitutional-Submission-30-May-2025
Animal Law Reform South Africa Submission on Live Export
ALRSA-Submission-Draft-Live-Export-Regulations-25-August-2025
SOUTH AFRICA WINS
South Africa’s environment department sets lion bone export quota to zero, pushing to end captive lion exploitation. South Africa’s Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment (DFFE) has announced that it will not allow any legal exports of lion bones or derivatives, effectively setting the quota at zero for 2025. This is a decision that sends a powerful signal to the captive lion breeding industry.
RECENT INTERNATIONAL WINS FOR ANIMALS
Mexico
- Nationwide ban on dolphin/marine-mammal shows (and breeding in captivity). Passed by both chambers of Congress, June–July 2025. Prohibits use in entertainment, therapy, research, etc. (World Animal Protection, theguadalajarareporter.net)
- Mexico City: traditional bullfighting banned (no killing or injuring; “bloodless” events only). Passed March 19, 2025 (61–1 vote). (The Guardian, CBS News)
Netherlands
- Amsterdam District Court orders the Dutch Kennel Club (Raad van Beheer) to stop issuing pedigrees to unlawfully bred short-muzzled (brachycephalic) dogs unless strict veterinary proof criteria are met. Judgment June 4, 2025 (ECLI:NL: RBAMS:2025:3831). This operationalises existing welfare law against harmful breeding. (uitspraken.rechtspraak.nl)
- Context: The government and NVWA have been tightening enforcement against breeding with genetic disorders; a renewed enforcement push was noted in March 2025. (NL Times)
Live-export bans
- Australia: Parliament passed laws to end live sheep exports by sea by 1 May 2028 (transition in place). Government implementation pages updated July 2025. (DAFF)
- United Kingdom: Animal Welfare (Livestock Exports) Act 2024—Royal Assent May 20, 2024—bans exports for slaughter or fattening from Great Britain. (Legislation.gov.uk, House of Commons Library)
- New Zealand: Total ban on live exports by sea (all livestock) in force since April 30, 2023 (still the law, though a later government explored reinstatement for breeding). (MPI)
Greyhound racing (Australia)
- Tasmania: Government announced a full phase-out of greyhound racing by June 30, 2029; legislation/transition process flagged (announcement Aug 10–11, 2025). The political fight is ongoing, but this is a major policy shift toward a ban. (The Guardian, News.com.au, Herald Sun)
- ACT (Canberra): Ban already in force—greyhound racing and trialling ceased April 30, 2018 (Domestic Animals (Racing Greyhounds) Amendment Act 2017 commenced 2018). (ACT Legislation Register)
- NSW: A Greyhound Racing Ban Bill 2025 is on the table (private member’s bill; not law yet). (Parliament of NSW, NSW Legislation)
Spain
- New national animal-welfare law in force since Sept 29, 2023—e.g., pet-shop sales of dogs, cats, ferrets prohibited; enforcement actions followed in 2024. (Useful precedent for retail-sales restrictions.) (euronews, ElHuffPost)
Canada
- Canada: Federal ban on cosmetics, animal testing, and related sales claims took effect Dec 22, 2023 (Food and Drugs Act amendments). (Canada.ca)
USA
- West Hollywood’s City Council has unanimously voted to ban the sale of nearly all live animals in pet stores, expanding its earlier dog and cat sales ban. The new law — effective May 1, 2026 — covers birds, fish, reptiles, amphibians, arachnids, hermit crabs, and other mammals, with exceptions for on-site breeders, rescues, shelters, and adoption programs. Known for its progressive stance on animal protection, West Hollywood has also banned cat declawing and fur sales, cementing its reputation as one of the nation’s most animal-friendly cities. https://ladyfreethinker.org/victory-west-hollywood-bans-sale-of-almost-all-live-animals-in-pet-stores/
- West Hollywood already has laws banning the retail sale of puppies and kittens (i.e., dogs and cats) in pet stores.
- USA (New York State): Statewide ban on retail sale of dogs, cats, rabbits effective Dec 15, 2024 (“Puppy Mill Pipeline Act”). (New York State Attorney General, ASPCA)
- At its September 15 meeting, the Denver City Council passed an ordinance prohibiting pet shops in the city from selling dogs, cats or rabbits. Mayor Mike Johnston must still sign off on the proposal for it to become law. (Westworld)
Germany
- DERTOUR Group — one of Europe’s largest tourism companies — has announced it will stop selling tickets and excursions to venues that keep dolphins and whales in captivity. The policy includes the end of “swim-with-dolphins” and other direct-contact experiences. Effective November 2025. (World Animal Protection, 3 Nov 2025; Travel Mole; Canarian Weekly)