Laws relating to cats
Cat Local Law 2025
Council approved the City of Melville Cat Local Law 2025 at its meeting on Tuesday, 15 July 2025.
The adoption of the Cat Local Law follows two rounds of community consultation to ensure it reflects the local needs and values of our community.
Key details of the local law include the introduction of cat prohibited areas at reserves and parks with important flora and fauna. There is also a two-cat household limit, which does not apply to fostered cats or cats that are temporarily at a household.
The local law was published in the Government Gazette on 25 July 2025 and came into effect on 25 October 2025. Please note that the City is not enforcing clauses 4.6 and 3.7(5) of the Cat Local Law 2025 at this time, as these provisions are to be amended.
Read the Local Law in full here.
Cat Act 2011
The Department of Local Government is responsible for administering the Cat Act 2011.
As per the Cat Act 2011, please see the following for a list of offences and the modified penalties associated with cats.
Cat registration
All cats must be sterilised, microchipped and registered at six months of age. For more information on how to register your cat, visit our cat registrations page.
Whenever they are in a public place, all cats must wear their collar with their registration tag.
Responsible cat ownership
We encourage you to keep your cat contained within your property boundaries, not only to reduce hunting but also to help protect your cat. Keeping your cat contained will help ensure harmony for everyone – you, your cat, neighbours and local wildlife.
By keeping your cat safe at home you:
- Reduce the risk of them becoming lost or injured
- Reduce the risk of them getting into cat fights and having cat fight-related injuries
- Give them a better chance to enjoy a longer and healthier life. This also saves you money on vet bills.
- Minimise the risk they will harm or kill other animals, including native wildlife
- Enjoy more quality time together
- Avoid problems with your neighbours
Check out the RSPCA’s Safe and Happy Cats webpage for more information on the benefits of keeping cats contained at home and tips on transitioning your cat to life indoors.
Sterilisation
Sterilisation is surgical desexing that involves removing part of the reproductive system of an animal whilst under a general anaesthetic. Cats aged six months and older must be sterilised. However, your vet can issue an exemption certificate if sterilising your cat is likely to have a negative impact on your cat’s health and welfare.Microchipping
Microchipping your cat makes it easier for you to be reunited if they were to get lost. Any ranger or vet can scan the microchip to reveal your contact details. A vet, vet nurse or a person with the relevant qualifications from a registered training provider can implant a microchip in your cat.When you register your cat, you will be required to provide proof that the cat has been microchipped by providing the microchip number. A person who fails to ensure their cat is microchipped may be liable for a penalty.
If your cat is impounded and they are not microchipped, you may be liable for a fine.
Selling your cat
When a cat is sold or given away, the seller must ensure the cat is microchipped and sterilised prior to transfer. If the cat cannot be sterilised due to its health or age, the seller must issue a prepaid sterilisation voucher to the new owner.Information for cat breeders
The legislation requires that a person who chooses to breed cats must apply to their local government for a permit.
Download the application form to apply for a permit to breed cats. Once filled out mail, post or in deliver in person.
For more information view the cat breeder fact sheet.
Deterring a nuisance cat
A cat may be considered a ‘nuisance cat’ if they attack wildlife or create a disturbance in or around a property.
The following information is provided to enable residents to deter nuisance cats from their property. However, please be mindful that any action taken that deliberately injures or harms a cat is not acceptable and such action is deemed to be an offence under the provisions of the Animal Welfare Act 2002.
The best way to start if you know who owns the cat, is by talking to the owner. Often, they will be apologetic and make and effort to rectify the problem. If speaking to your neighbour is not successful, or you don’t know where the cat comes from, the following methods may be helpful.
For protecting gardens or flower beds, the following household items may deter cats:
- Coffee grounds
- Citrus fragrance (orange or lemon peels or citrus oil)
- Lavender oil
- Lemongrass oil
- Citronella oil
- Peppermint oil
- Eucalyptus oil
Plant natural cat-deterrent plants:
- Scaredy cat plant - Plectranthus caninus
- Curry plant - Helichrysum augustfolium
- Geranium - Pelargonium
- Rosemary - Rosmarinus officinalis
- Lemon thyme - Thymus citriodorus
- Lavender - Lavandula augustifolia
- Pennyroyal - Mentha pulegrium.
Use commercial cat deterrent products:
- You can purchase commercial cat repellent sprays and gels from plant nurseries, vets and pet stores. These methods will only work if the cat does not like the smell of the product. Do not use a disinfectant that contains ammonia, as this may attracts cats to the area.
- Cat Scat is a product which consists of plastic mats that are pressed into the soil. Each mat has flexible plastic spikes that are harmless to cats and other animals but discourage digging.
- If you have a cat, purchase a cat flap that has an electronic release, or a microchip activated cat flap. This will prevent other cats from entering your house.
For more information on nuisance cat deterrents, read our guide to deterring nuisance cats.