Responsible Cat Ownership
As a cat owner you are responsible to ensure that your cat is well looked after.
In addition it is important that cat owners respect other people in the community. This can be achieved by keeping your cat adequately confined to your property to reduce complaints in relation to car accidents, noise, destruction of the environment and killing of wildlife.
The Cat Act 2011
The Cat Act 2011 took full effect from 1 November 2013.
The act provides for better management of the unwanted impacts of cats on the community and the environment, as well as encourage responsible cat ownership.
All domestic cats aged six months and older are required by law to be:
- Microchipped;
- Sterilised; and
- Registered with the relevant local government.
Cat Registration
As a cat owner you are now required to register your cat with the local government once it reaches 6 months of age. In order to be registered your cat is required to be sterilised and microchipped
- The registration period is from 1 November to 31 October.
- Registration renewals are forwarded to registered animal owners in October each year.
- 1 year and 3 year animal registrations expire 31 October regardless of the month your animal is registered (any 1 year new annual registrations purchased from the 1 June to 31 October, the fee payable to the Shire is half the normal price as the registration will expire on the 31 October of that same year).
If you hold a pension card you are eligible for a 50% discount on registration fees.
Proof of identity and pension card must be sighted.
| FEES |
1 YEAR |
3 YEARS |
LIFETIME |
| Sterilised Cat |
$20.00 |
$42.50 |
$100.00 |
| Sterilised Cat - Concession |
$10.00 |
$21.25 |
$50.00 |
Please note: Proof of sterilisation and microchip are required.
Cat Identification
Cats are also required to wear a collar and registration tag to ensure that owned cats can be easily identified and returned to their owner. It is an offence for your cat not to wear a collar with the registration tag and you may be given an on-the-spot fine of $200 for failure to do so.
Number of Cats
Current legislation allows for property owner’s to keep a maximum of two cats. In some circumstances, residents may wish to keep more than the prescribed number; however, approval from the council is required.
Update Information
As a cat owner, you are required to notify the Shire of West Arthur of any change of ownership or address, and of your cat's sterilisation, microchip number or passing.
Forms and Brochures
Cat Registration Form
Change of Details - Pets
Application to Keep more than 2 Cats
Don't forget to also update your cat's microchip details through
Australasian Animal Registry - Pet Identification and Recovery Service
Pet Address
Central Animal Records