Whittlesea Council to introduce cat desexing, possible cat curfew

Cat owners in Melbourne’s north may be forced to confine their moggies if a curfew goes ahead.

Whittlesea Council is considering introducing a cat curfew.

Another Melbourne council is considering introducing a cat curfew, with the City of Whittlesea looking at tough new rules for moggies.

The council is asking for community feedback on its draft Domestic Animal Management Plan (DAMP) 2021-25.

The plan includes introducing mandatory desexing of new cats registered with the council from 2022.

It also recommends doing more community consultation on introducing a cat curfew, looking at the experience of other councils.

Whittlesea Council chair administrator Lydia Wilson said the council had received feedback asking for action on roaming pet cats and stray cats because of the harm they caused to wildlife and the nuisance they created for neighbours.

On the council’s Engage Whittlesea page, some residents questioned why the council hadn’t already made firm plans to introduce a cat curfew.

“Why no cat curfew?” Suzanne asked, while Dave said: “The draft recommends discussion about a cat curfew. Why you don’t have one. My question is will you be the last council to adopt one in Victoria?”

Feedback has suggested a cat curfew would address issues such as roaming cats, the impact of cats on wildlife, cats leaving waste on people’s property, fighting cats and the number of stray cats in the community.

Whittlesea Council is seeking more feedback before introducing a cat curfew. Picture: Nicole Cleary

Knox Council recently copped criticism from many pet owners after unveiling its plan to introduce a 24-hour cat curfew from April next year.

Many owners fear the impact the rules will have on older cats.

The City of Darebin introduced a night-time cat curfew (from 7pm to 7am) on January 1.

RSPCA Victoria recommends that cat owners contain their cats to their homes or an enclosed outdoor space 24 hours a day.

The organisation said this ensures cats remain safe from predators, car accidents, fights with other cats, becoming lost, injuries and disease.

There are 6798 cats registered in the City of Whittlesea.

The council will work with local vet clinics to educate owners about the benefits of desexing their cats and develop a discounted pet desexing program for concession card holders.

It said evidence from neighbouring councils showed that desexing cats had a positive impact on their behaviour and reduced the stray cat population within the community.

Residents are invited to have their say on the plan at engage.whittlesea.vic.gov.au between September 8 and 30.