The move, aimed at improving the management of domestic cats in the region, is set to come into effect within six months.
The decision follows extensive community consultation earlier this year, which saw a record-breaking 900-plus survey responses from residents expressing overwhelming support for a shire-wide 24-hour cat curfew. In addition to the curfew, council has also mandated the desexing of all newly registered cats.
According to Mayor Sophie Price, the new curfew aligns with state-wide trends and reflects the sentiments of the community, with more than 94 per cent of survey respondents citing wildlife protection as the main reason for their support.
Additionally, 55 per cent of respondents mentioned preventing trespass by cats, and 48per cent expressed concern for the welfare and safety of cats.
Council’s decision is supported by organisations such as the Cat Protection Society of Victoria, who see it as a win-win solution for both cats and wildlife.
“Roaming cats are a serious threat to biodiversity and apart from the environmental impact, they can also cause public nuisance. There is overwhelming evidence to say that cat welfare is enhanced through containment,” Mayor Price said.
In addition to the curfew, council is advocating for the desexing of cats at three months of age, coinciding with microchipping and registration. There will be a substantial discount for registering a desexed animal, making it an attractive option for responsible pet owners.
The curfew and desexing mandate will not apply to cats owned by registered breeders for breeding purposes or those that are deemed unsuitable for desexing by a veterinarian, such as underweight kittens.
Mayor Price stressed that the council’s focus will primarily be on educating and supporting cat owners to comply with these new measures, rather than imposing strict compliance measures.
She emphasised that these changes are all about responsible pet ownership and the protection of the shire’s natural environment.
Cat owners now have a six-month grace period to implement containment measures within their properties, as the council works to enhance the coexistence of domestic cats and local wildlife while maintaining an pleasant community environment.
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