Cats

As per councils DOC format K1 - Keeping of Animals.DOC (128.50 KB) policy, the maximum number of cats allowed on a residential property is three. It is strongly recommended that cats should be kept in numbers and breeds appropriate to the size of the property.

For your cats’ safety, and to protect wildlife, keep your cat inside, especially overnight. The average domestic cat kills over 20 creatures per year – that means Australia’s three million domestic cats kill over 60 million creatures a year! Even if an animal escapes a cat attack they usually die from the diseases cats carry. Making matters worse, Australia has 18 million feral cats feeding on wildlife.

Cats should wear collars with a tag displaying their name and owners address and/or phone number with a bell attached.

Identification and Registration

Microchipping is the best way to ensure that you are reunited with your lost cat. Make sure you notify Council of any changes of address or ownership to keep the microchip information up to date.

Take a look at our Identification and Registration page for more information.

Cats born prior to 1 July 1999 and are kept by the same owner are exempt from lifetime registration, but must be identified by either a Microchip or a collar and tag attached that shows the name of the cat and the address or telephone number of the owner.

Nuisance Cats

There is no curfew for cats and there is no legal notion of a stray cat.

A domestic cat cannot be trapped/caught in a public or privately owned space and taken to the Animal Care Facility unless:

  • The cat is causing damage to property; or
  • It is necessary to catch the cat to prevent injury or death of another domestic animal or person.

Do not feed strays. If you feel sorry for the cat make it yours. Microchip it, desex it and confine it. Or catch it and surrender to Council to rehome.

You can trap a feral cat and take it to the Animal Care Facility, however, you must be certain that it is feral otherwise you may be liable to prosecution.

If you see a cat endangering wildlife, contact National Parks and Wildlife on 131 555. 

Complaints regarding nuisance cats can be made by calling Customer Contact on (02) 4350 5555.