Opinion - Do we need a puppy farm near Oberon?

October 15, 2026

For some unknown reason I wasn't aware until this week of a proposal that has been put to Oberon Council for a dog and cat breeding operation at O'Connell. Apparently the business has been running since 2020, so it's rather strange that approval has not been sought before this.

The proposal wants permission for a facility with the following numbers:

Up to 20 breeding bitches
Up to 15 additional dogs, including stud dogs, household pets and visiting stud dogs
Puppies additional to these numbers until rehomed from 8 weeks
Up to 20 breeding queens (female cats)
Fewer than 10 breeding toms
Kittens additional to these numbers until rehomed from 12 weeks
5 desexed household cats

There is no mention in the development application of many legitimate concerns about licensing, biosecurity, waste management, noise control or the many other things that are essential issues surrounding a project like this. Of course, as the place has apparently been operating for six years without Council approval it should come as no surprise that other matters have been "overlooked". The number of 20 bitches is significant, because this is the maximum allowed under proposed changes to breeding legislation. The relevant term is "strictly legal", which is defined in the Collins Dictionary as:

The term "strictly legal" refers to actions or situations that comply with the law in its most stringent form, without any room for deviation or interpretation that could imply leniency or exception. It emphasizes a rigid adherence to legal requirements, often lacking in moral or ethical consideration. For example, while something may be deemed "strictly legal," it might still be viewed as morally questionable or socially unacceptable.

The term is used extensively in the pornography industry.

We don't need a puppy mill in our neighbourhood. In case you are wondering how places like this operate, the females are kept in a constant state of pregnancy. When the birth canal becomes unusable because of too many deliveries, a switch is made to caesarean deliveries. When the accumulation of scar tissue makes further surgical deliveries impossible the dogs are "retired", most likely to a hole in the ground.

Unfortunately, by the time you read this the deadline for posting objections or comments will probably have passed (4pm on Friday, October 16). We definitely do not need this primitive form of barbarity anywhere near us.