This bill being passed means that... (from Clause 3) Animal Shelters or Pounds already were required to scan pets within 3 days to check for microchips (this was clarified to mean staff of the shelter or pound). Also, if a pet is taken to a vet, the vet now has 12 hours to check it for microchips.

This bill being passed means that... (from Clause 4) previously, only Council animal shelters and vets who were outsourced as Council animal control agents were supposed to accept pets that other people had found wandering around. This has changed so that other vets and some animal shelters are now officially allowed to accept lost cats and dogs etc.

This bill being passed means that... (from Clause 5) If a stray pet is taken to a vet, the vet must scan for microchips and try and contact the owner using Council registration records. The owner can then pick up their animal from the vet. The Vet is allowed to charge the owner for food/accommodation costs, however they can't force the owner to pay them.

This bill being passed means that... (from Clause 5) A vet should hand over an animal to Council ASAP if: ** it\'s a dangerous or banned breed; ** the owner is unknown, can\'t be contacted or does not come pick up their pet; ** there is a dispute and it is not clear who the owner actually is; ** the animal has been abused or neglected; other unspecified circumstances (need a lawyer to clarify who would specify those).

This bill being passed means that... (from Clause 11) The Governor in Council may already declare (and publish in the Government Gazette) an exemption from the Domestic Animals Act for any animal or class of animals, or pet sellers. They are now able to also declare people or classes of people exempt too as they see fit.

This bill being passed means that... (from Clause 11) Standards may be adopted as they stand at the time the order is made - for example, the Greyhounds Racing Victoria code of practice may be adopted.