Knox Council cat curfew: 24-7 curfew under fire from Mayor, residents

A round-the-clock cat curfew has been condemned by hundreds in Knox, putting pressure on an already pandemic-ravaged, skint community.

Residents have raised concerns over Knox Council’s 24 hour cat curfew.

More than 1000 people have signed a petition calling on Knox Council to make changes to its 24-hour cat curfew.

The change.org petition, signed by more than 1600 people, says the new curfew will be particularly hard on older cats used to going outside, and calls on the council to only apply the rules to new kittens.

“This petition proposes the gradual phasing in of this curfew, if it must happen, where it only applies to newly registered kittens,” it petition states.

“Which is a more logical and compassionate way of introducing this rule, as opposed to the current plans to have it apply as a blanket rule for all cats regardless of age or habits.

“Cats that are 10+ years old that have been allowed outside during the day their whole life will suffer because of this knee jerk of a rule introduction.

“And it will cause stress and anxiety which will result in mental health issues for cats and their owners, increasing vet bills and causing depression in a time where mental health is most important.”

The new 24-hour cat curfew has come under fire from pet owners, with many fearing the impact the “cruel” restrictions will have on older moggies.

Many owners also reported not being aware of the council’s plans to introduce the curfew until last week.

Knox resident Skye said she was deeply concerned and disappointed about the curfew.

“This was not a transparent 12-month consultation – I am a registered cat owner whom knew nothing of it until today (June 30),” she said.

“There is no way my eight year old male and female cats will tolerate being inside 24 hours, I can’t afford a cat run (over $1000) nor can I erect (nor do I want to) prison-style barb fencing as per the recommendation by council.”

Boronia cat owner Sarah Hughes has also started a petition calling for the council to scrap the plan, and keep the current sunset to sunrise rules.

“I have two cats, one indoor and one that spends some time outside but is always in sunset to sunrise,” she said.

“He does not do well being inside 24/7. He gets very anxious and unhappy.

“It is cruel to keep cats indoors when they are used to going outside.”

Under the new rules, set to come into effect in October, owners will be required to contain their cats to their property 24 hours a day – either inside their house, shed, garage, yard or an

enclosure.

Cats can still go outside, as long as they remain on their owners’ property.

Bayswater’s Phillip Walsh said the 24-hour curfew was “absolutely stupid”.

“It’s just wrong, I can understand the night curfew, but during the day, it’s absolutely ridiculous,” he said.

Knox Mayor Lisa Cooper has also spoken out against the curfew, worried about the financial strain it will put on the community.

Cr Cooper, who moved an unsuccessful alternative motion calling for councillors to introduce an overnight curfew instead, took to Facebook on Wednesday to express her concerns about the new restrictions.

“I would like you to know that I was not personally comfortable with a 24-hour cat curfew, and did not support it,” Cr Cooper said.

Speaking at the meeting, Cr Cooper said people across Knox were still recovering from the pandemic, with many still relying on food parcels.

She said it could cost between $500 to $5000 for owners to buy equipment such as netting to keep their cats contained to their properties.

“A 7pm to 7am cat curfew would be a good compromise and doesn’t impose any unreasonable expenses on any of our community members who are already doing it tough,” she said.

But on Knox Leader’s Facebook page, many welcomed the curfew, which was introduced in a bid to protect wildlife and stop nuisance cats.

“If my dog has to be confined to my property then the same goes for someone’s cats,”

Natalie Sferruzzi said.

“I’m sick of other people’s cats coming on to my property.”

“Absolutely, your animal, your property,” Sandra Miravet said.

“Why should everyone else have to put up with other people’s cats?”

Owners will face $91 fines for first time offences and up to $545 for second or subsequent infringements.

There will be a six-month amnesty period where no fines will be issued.

Last year, Knox Council trialled a curfew requiring cats to be confined between sunset and sunrise.

The council said throughout the trial, feedback was sought from the community and more than 86 per cent of respondents supported a curfew, with greater preference for a 24-hour curfew over a night-time curfew.

Almost half of the more than 720 respondents were cat owners.

According to the council, the cat curfew pilot survey ran for several months on council’s website and was shared via social media, calls through Customer Service, its digital newsletter and local media.

The curfew will be mainly enforced through receipt of complaints by members of the community.

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

“This ensures cats remain safe from predators, car accidents, fights with other cats, becoming lost, injuries and disease,” an RSPCA spokesperson said.

Cat owners will be able to provide feedback on guidance the council can offer to support them with the change through consultation for the next Domestic Animal Management Plan. Details: knox.vic.gov.au/haveyoursay