Cats

Owning a cat comes with certain responsibilities. In this section, cat owners can access information about what Council expects from them.  If you wish to register your cat, please refer to the "Animal Registration" section of this website.

If you have any queries, please contact Council on 9599 4444 or visit the Corporate Centre, 76 Royal Avenue, Sandringham between 8.30am and 5pm, Monday to Friday.

EXCESS ANIMAL PERMIT
The maximum number of cats permitted to be kept on premises is two unless an Excess Animal Permit has been obtained.  To make application please complete the attached excess animal application form and submit to Council for approval.  Once approval has been received,  a fee of $60 should be paid to obtain your Excess Animals Permit.  This Permit must be renewed annually at a cost of $22 per year

CAT CONTROL
Cats are highly valued pets in Australia - nearly 30% of households own them.  Highly adaptable and flexible, cats fit into domestic life and routines easily and comfortably. 

However, they are predators by nature and will go looking for mates, defend territory and hunt wildlife - particularly during the dusk to dawn period.  When a cat is allowed to roam outdoors during this period, serious consequences can result.

The Dangers of Allowing Your Cat to Roam at Night
The hours between dusk and dawn are when your cat is most likely to:

• attack wildlife such as birds and possums, and damage the environment;
• get hit by passing traffic;
• be injured, or injure another cat in a fight;
• become lost;
• catch fatal diseases, such as feline AIDS, as a result of fighting; and
• spray, howl and annoy neighbours - especially during mating season.

Legal Requirements for Cat Owners
If your cat wanders onto another person's property, it can be seized.  Details relating to identified cats will be recorded before cats are released.  Unidentified cats will be taken to the Pound (see below).  Council may issue an order to stop your cat from trespassing, and if you do not comply you may be fined. 

Confine Your Cat
You can protect your cat, preserve the environment and minimise disruption to the community by ensuring your cat is confined indoors between dusk and dawn.

How to Confine your Cat at night
When training your cat to accept confinement, skip its morning feed and call it in at night to be fed.  Do not feed your cat until it comes inside - it will learn quickly that it will not get fed unless home by dusk.  Once inside, do not let it out again until morning. 

Ensure your cat has a cosy and well ventilated sleeping area with food, water and a litter tray.  Your cat should adapt to night confinement within a few days.  If not, please get further advice from

IMPOUNDED CATS
Business Support Officers keep a register of all impounded animals. To find out if your cat has been impounded, contact Business Support on 9599 4444.

All impounded cats will be taken by an Animal Management Officer to: 

South Eastern Pound Services    (Phone:  9702 8055)
920 Thompsons Road
Cranbourne

A release fee and daily costs apply at the South Eastern Pound Services.