Under Victoria's stage 4 restrictions can people leave their home to pick up new pet.

One of the problems I've seen in the past with stage 3 restrictions was whether or not a person could pick up their new dog that was outside of Melbourne.

Keep in mind that getting a new dog isn't as simple as it once was, turning up to the local pet shop. People now wait in line for months, sometimes years until a pup of the breed they want is born. Then they have to wait until the dog is older enough to leave with them. This isn't a matter of weeks, but often months.

In the earlier case the person was able to pick up their dog outside of metropolitan Melbourne.

Find the information you need as a pet owner is not easy so when I saw an article from Agriculte Victoria I thought it might interest others.

https://agriculture.vic.gov.au/farm-management/emergency-management/coronavirus-covid-19/covid-19-faqs-for-animal-carers?_cldee=YnByZW1haml0aEB5YWhvby5jb20%3D&recipientid=contact-96e6ccad8768e911a820000d3ad0a55e-a78da420cb054a0a91b529504c4ddd01&esid=8b526490-34e0-ea11-a833-000d3ad1b063

Now how anyone would otherwise know or try to look for such an article I don't know. A link really should be provided from the Victoria government's main site for COVID-19. I've noticed different government departments doing things and that information is not linked back in any way. Another example was the recent need to have permits to go to work.

Even with this article if you're picking up a dog from outside of metropolitan Melbourne it's not specifically stated. The following are the important statements.

Yes. You can leave your home to collect a pet you purchased prior to the date this clarification was provided by government on 13 August  2020. 

and

You may travel more than 5km from your home to collect a pet, but the travel cannot be unreasonable. As with other necessary goods, it must be the closest practical location.

As always things are left open to interpretation. A dog is not like a necessary good and when you buy a dog it's at a specific location. A dog isn't like toilet paper, which can be bought at any supermarket (subject to supplies). You enter into an agreement to purchase a dog from a specific breeder and it is where they are located. Of course the other option is to ask the breeder to deliver the dog since they are providing an allowed service, but see how that goes!

The best part though is once you get past all the crap, owning and loving your new pet will be worth all the effort.

Kelvin Eldridge
https://www.mapz.com.au/coronavirusvictoria/