Adelaide Hills Council introduces 24/7 cat confinement laws

The state’s first 24-hour cat curfew is in full swing with Hills residents taking no prisoners when it comes to reporting and trapping nuisance cats on their properties.

The state’s first 24-hour cat curfew has been met with mixed reaction with Hills locals divided on whether the bylaws are kind or cruel.

The Adelaide Hills Council introduced the state’s first new stringent cat bylaws on January 1, with staff responding to two major complaints in the first three days.

The restrictions mean cats must be confined to a premises at all times unless under effective control by a leash or other restraint.

Cats will also have to be registered and microchipped, while traps will be available for residents to capture trespassing felines.

The council’s acting director of development and regulatory services Melissa Bright said cat owners will be fined $187.50 if their pets are found wandering outside.

“Since enforcement commenced on January 1, council has been contacted by two residents in relation to cats on their properties,” she said.

“One trapped cat was transported to a local vet by the resident, and the other was collected by Council Rangers.

“Currently there has been no enforcement action or discussions with cat owners regarding breaches of the bylaw.”

Residents have voiced both their support and opposition to the bylaws on Hills facebook cat groups with many applauding the council for taking a strong stance on protecting wildlife.

“My cat trap is set,” one user wrote.

Another said “Cats are a menace to native wildlife and should be controlled 24/7. If you own a pet it is your responsibility to look after it and make it is not a danger to wildlife.”

Others, however, questioned the steep fine set by the council while others argued for a cats need to roam.

“I actually think this law is almost impossible to abide for cats that have had a lifetime of being outdoors. I really do feel for those cats and their owners – it’s going to be difficult,” a user wrote.”

A total of 1108 cats are currently registered in the district, however, the region is believed to be home to thousands more.

Wandering cats will be housed the Woodside Boarding Cattery for up to 72 hours as part of a 12-month agreement with the council.

Still image of CCTV footage of a nuisance cat spraying urine onto outdoor lounge. Picture: Mount Barker District Council

After three days, unclaimed cats will be taken to the RSPCA for rehoming.

Controversial cat by-laws have also been introduced in Mt Barker where cats are required to remain indoors between 8pm and 7am.

The new rules were introduced in July 2020 with the council issuing its first $112 expiation notice in February this year.

Campbelltown also plans to introduce night-time curfews from January 1, 2024.

Environment Minister David Speirs said a statewide model would be considered as part of a long planned review of the Dog and Cat Management Act.

“The Dog and Cat Management Board have already commenced preparations for the review of the legislation, which includes the commencement of a project to identify issues and opportunities for the review, including cat confinement, and will include broad stakeholder engagement,” Mr Speirs said.

“The current act gives local government the power to control cats and stop horrendous attacks on wildlife from occurring … we encourage them to continue improving cat management practices in their own communities.”

A number of other councils have implemented by-laws restricting owners to two desexed cats.

Cats in the Adelaide Hills Council area are not allowed off their owner’s property now – 24 hours a day, seven days a week.