FAQs

The proposed Cat Local Law will clarify certain aspects of the Cat Act/Regulations and assist in maintaining the community expectations for cat owners to control and contain their cats.

1. Limiting cats to 2 per property
2. Provisions for applying for more than 2 cats (permits require cats to be contained to property)
3. Provisions for applying for a cattery
4. Provisions for nuisance cats
5. Prohibited areas - public places where cats are prohibited entirely 

Currently, cats are permitted to wander at large. Wandering cats cannot be outright prohibited as the Cat Act 2011 does not permit such laws to be implemented under a Cat Local Law.

The proposed local law will have prohibited public areas, as specified in the last schedule within the document.

Additionally, the proposed local law will have provisions for cats trespassing on private property under the “Nuisance” section and cat owners would be liable to penalties if the cat was to cause a nuisance. 

Currently cats are not permitted to enter upon or into any local government property unless authorised under the Public Places and Local Government Local Law.

Yes, cat owners would be responsible to ensure their cat(s) are not causing a nuisance to the community. 

Residents will only be permitted to have 2 cats on the property and require a permit for more than 2 cats. Cats subject to a permit are required to be contained to the property.

Owners with more than two cats registered prior to the proposed local law being implemented will not need to gain a permit for those cats currently registered to the property. 

For cats not registered or if the registration expires on one or more cats the owner will need to gain a permit. Any new cats brought onto the property will also require a permit where the total number of cats is over 2.

Any permit issued to keep more than 2 cats is for the cats specified on the permit, different cats would require a new permit to be applied for.

Currently cat owners are required to have a breeder’s license to have an unsterilised cat and this will not be affected by the proposed Cat Local Law. All cats over the age of 6 months old are required to be sterilised, additionally where a cat under the age of 6 months is sold or re-homed the owner must provide a pre-paid vet certificate for sterilisation to the new owner.

Cats subject to a permit will be required to be contained to the property unless under effective control.

All other cats would need to comply with the nuisance regulations.

Some areas are environmentally sensitive, and cats have been proven to be detrimental to both flora and fauna. Cats are known to attack wildlife and dig causing damage to flora, additionally cat faeces left behind spread disease and kill wildlife such as bandicoots.

Yes, Local Governments have implemented a Cat Local Law, and some councils that have not yet are currently in the drafting process.

The proposed Cat local Law will allow for a Cat Control Notice to be issued to the owner requiring the specific nuisance stop. If the owner fails to abide by the notice, they may be issued an infringement notice(s)

Currently and continuing with the proposed Cat Local Law, residents may humanely trap trespassing cats on their own property and hand them in to the Shire. Cats impounded do incur a cost to the owner for release and their cat will be required to be sterilised, microchipped and registered prior to release.