Cat ownership: the do’s and don'ts in every Victorian council
The rules for owning a cat differ from council to council. Here is the one-stop shop to know all the rules, costs and curfews across the state.
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Owning a cat might seem like a lifetime of purring and pats, but there is much more to pet ownership than meets the eye.
Every council in Victoria abides by similar rules for cat ownership, but the small nuances can be confusing.
We have compiled a list of all the need to know rules on owning your own Garfield, Crookshanks or Salem, depending on the council area that you live in and the results are in.
The cheapest council region to register a cat is Darebin, where it costs just $17 to register a desexed kitten.
The most expensive council region to register a cat is Warrnambool, costing cat owners a whopping $216 to register an un-desexed cat.
In relation to curfews, 32 of 79 Victorian councils do not impose cat confinement on owners.
Of the council that do enforce cat curfews, the most lenient council is Frankston, only defining the cat curfew as “overnight”.
The strictest councils enforce ‘sunset to sunrise’ curfews, which could begin as early as 5pm in winter periods.
These councils are Warrnambool, Queenscliffe, Alpine Shire, Horsham, Ballarat, Macedon Ranges Shire, Maroondah, Merri-bek, Mitchell Shire, Moorabool, Bendigo, Geelong and Hindmarsh Councils.
All up, Ararat Rural City Council has the most relaxed rules around cat ownership. With no curfew in place and a registration fee of $17.50 for a desexed cat, it is both the cheapest and most free council region for Victoria’s domesticated felines.
To check up on your council’s cat regulations, keep scrolling.
Alpine Shire Council:
Alpine Shire Council cat ownership rules focused on ensuring both pets and native wildlife can remain safe while living side-by-side.
Because a number of native wildlife species, including birds, reptiles and small mammals, some of which are vulnerable and under threat, coexist in the Alpine region, the council has rules in place to protect them from cats.
As per the regulations, all cats must be registered with the council and microchipped at three months of age.
Owners risk a fine of $370 if they do not register their pets.
It costs $31 to register a desexed cat and $93.50 for a non-desexed cat.
Alpine Shire Council director corporate Nathalie Cooke said if pet cats were allowed to “roam free” it would threaten the safety of said native wildlife.
“Cats are skilled, instinctual hunters and often pose a threat to the survival of many species if left to roam free.,” she said.
“If your cat has injured a native animal, please take the injured animal to a local veterinary clinic or contact a registered wildlife carer.”
The council has provided tips for keeping cats and wildlife safe, including keeping cats indoors overnight, at dawn and at dusk; building an outdoor cat enclosure so they can enjoy the day time safely; install cat-proof fencing’ and encouraging owners to surrender their pet cats if they are not longer able to care for them, rather than just releasing the animals into the bush.
For a free brochure on how to build cat-proof fencing and cat enclosures, you can call 5755 0555.
Ararat Rural City Council
Ararat requires residents to get a permit in order to own any animals, including cats, dogs, reptiles and amphibians, guinea pigs, birds and poultry.
A cat requires a permit and registration once it is three months old.
The council also expects owners to microchip both cats and dogs, giving owners a reduction in registration fees if the animal is already both desexed and microchipped.
Cat fees range between $17.50 and $100 under the Ararat Rural Council registration regulations.
The council also requires owners to be at least 18.
Owners are also expected to confine their pet cats to their registered properties 24/7.
City of Ballarat
Ballarat has cat ownership rules, and a curfew in place.
Cats must be kept inside from sunset to sunrise, in order to minimise harm to the local environment and wildlife, while also reducing annoyance to neighbours at night.
If cats are not confined, they are at risk of being trapped and handed in to the pound.
Owners will be asked to pay costs associated in reclaiming their cat and a fine may be issued for not complying with the curfew.
The council has also made information for cat-proof fencing available for free here.
The council also has a free cat desexing program for a limited number of cats per year.
It costs $21.50 to register a desexed cat and $83.50 for a non-desexed cat.
Banyule City Council
Banyule is much more relaxed with its rules regarding cat ownership.
While it does encourage owners to desex their pets to prevent unwanted pregnancies and mating season aggression, there is no cat curfew in place for felines living in Banyule.
Owners are, however, required to register and microchip their pets with the council.
Registration fees will differ depending on your circumstances.
Bass Coast Shire Council
Bass Coast Shire Council requires owners to keep their cats indoors overnight to protect wildlife, much like other Victorian councils.
In 2023, the council plans to introduce a 24/7 cat containment rule, where owners will be required to keep pet cats on their own properties at all times.
This rule will come into effect on July 1, 2023.
Owners are also required to microchip, register and desex their cats.
It costs $41 to register a desexed cat and $123 for a non-desexed cat.
Baw Baw Shire Council
Baw Baw requires cat owners to register their pets from when they are three months old.
It is also mandatory to microchip cats, and if they’re being registered for the first time, the cat must also be desexed, unless exempt under the Domestic Animals Act 1994.
It costs $42.80 to register a desexed cat.
Cats are also required to be confined to their owners property at all times.
Cats found outside of their home are at risk of being impounded by the council, and their owners may face a fine.
Bayside City Council
Bayside has a cat curfew in place, between 8pm and 6am, and between 9pm and 6am during daylight savings periods.
The council has provided tips for cat owners to help keep cats inside overnight, including feeding pets at night, and locking them inside, having a cosy and well-ventilated sleeping area with food, water and a litter tray inside for their comfort, and including enrichment activities and toys in their indoor environment so they’re not bored.
The council also encourages pet owners to get a companion pet to help reduce a single cat’s feelings of loneliness.
Cats in Bayside must also be desexed, registered with the council and microchipped.
It costs $48 to register a desexed cat and $140.20 for a non-desexed cat.
Benalla Rural City Council
Benalla requires all cats to be confined to their owner’s property at all times.
The council said this improved their health, safety and longevity, as confined cats tend to live up to three times longer than cats who roam free.
Benalla requires all cats to be registered and microchipped.
Registration renews in April every year.
It costs $38 to register a desexed cat and $113 for a non-desexed cat.
Boroondara City Council
Scott Walker, director of urban living, said cats must be registered and microchipped with the council once they are three months old.
“Council provides a registration ID tag which must be attached to the cat’s collar. Registration is renewed annually in April,” he said.
It costs $40 to register a desexed cat and $168 for a non-desexed cat.
The inner city council also has rules regarding how many cats an owner can have at one time.
“Under the City of Boroondara Amenity Local Law, a maximum of two cats can be registered to a property,” Mr Walker said.
“An Excess Animal permit is required for more than two cats under our Amenity Local Law.”
The council does not have a cat curfew.
Brimbank City Council
Brimbank Council requires all cats over three months old to be registered, microchipped and desexed.
It costs $29 to register a desexed cat and $78 for a non-desexed cat.
The council area has more than 13,000 dogs and 500 cats registered, and encourages responsible pet ownership.
Brimbank, like many suburban councils, does not have a cat curfew.
Buloke Shire Council
Buloke requires all cats older than three months to be registered and microchipped
Pet owners who don’t comply with requirements face a fine.
It costs $44.10 to register a desexed cat and $125.10 for a non-desexed cat.
Registration renews every year in April, and cats being registered for the first time must be microchipped beforehand.
Buloke also requires owners to have a permit for more than two animals registered on one property.
If a cat is found off their registered property and is not identified, it will be seized and impounded.
The council also enforces a 24/7 cat confinement rule.
Campaspe Council
Campaspe also has rules on how many cats can be registered at one property.
There is a two cat maximum, unless the owners acquire a permit to keep more.
It costs $24.50 to register a desexed cat and $73.50 for a non-desexed cat.
Cats must be registered at 12 weeks, and registration is renewed on April 10 each year.
Cats in Campaspe must wear collar with registration tag, and must be contained within the property boundaries.
The council does not have a cat curfew in place.
Cardinia Shire Council
All cats living in Cardinia must be contained to their owner’s property at all times.
Cat’s found wandering off their registered property or causing a nuisance will subject their owner to a council warning or fine, and may be taken to the pound.
The council loans out cat cages/traps, however requires a deposit when a resident wants to use one.
Cats are required to be registered and microchipped with the council at three months of age. They also need to be desexed before being registered.
It costs $22.50 to register a desexed cat.
City of Casey Council
Casey’s manager connected communities Sara Ball said the municipality had 8514 cats registered, and has had a 24-hour cat curfew in place since 1999.
“If a cat is found outside of its owner’s property at any time, and is registered with the council, the cat is returned home and the owner is given a warning on the first occurrence,” she said.
“Should unregistered cats be found outside their owner’s property, they are taken to the pound and the owner will be issued with an infringement penalty of $99.”
The council encourages all cat owners to ensure their cats are contained to their property, microchipped and registered with the council to keep their pets safe.
It costs $25 to register a desexed cat.
Central Goldfields Shire Council
The Central Goldfields follows the Domestic Animal Act 1994, and permits just two registered cats on any property without an excess permit.
There is no curfew in place, however if a cat is causing nuisance, the owner may be fined after an investigation.
The council also runs a successful cat trapping program, and is also involved in desexing programs across the shire.
It costs $38 to register a desexed cat and $108 for a non-desexed cat.
Colac Otway Shire Council
Colac Otway Shire Council requires all cats to be registered and microchipped with the council once they turn three months old.
Cats are also required to be desexed, as they are able to start breeding from four months.
It costs $22 to register a desexed cat and $120 for a non-desexed cat.
Owners are not required to abide by a curfew for their cats, but they are encouraged to contain pets to their registered properties.
Corangamite Shire Council
Corangamite requires all cats over three months to be registered with the shire and must be microchipped.
Residents in Corangamite are able to have two cats registered to a property, or require a permit to have more.
It costs $21.50 to register a desexed cat.
Corangamite does not have a cat curfew or confinement rule in place.
City of Darebin Council
In Darebin, all cats three months of age and over must be registered and must be renewed by April 10 each year.
The council also requires newly registered cats to be microchipped before registration.
It costs $17 to register a desexed cat and $51 for a non-desexed cat.
Darebin does have a cat curfew, in place from 7pm until 7am.
East Gippsland Shire Council
The East Gippsland Shire Council also follows the Domestic Animals Act 1994, and requires cats to be registered and microchipped with the council at three months of age. Cats in the East Gippsland Shire must wear a council ID tag.
It costs $32.50 to register a desexed cat and $191 for a non-desexed cat.
Cat owners can be fined if they fail to register their cat and ensure that their cat wears the council-issued ID tag.
East Gippsland has had a containment rule for cats in place since 2003, where all pet cats must be inside their property 24 hours a day.
It is considered an offence for cats to be found at large outside the premises of the owner, and not securely confined to the owner’s premises.
Frankston City Council
All cats over the age of 3 months must be microchipped, desexed and registered in Frankston City Council areas.
Registration must be renewed every year by 10 April, and owners will receive a reminder.
If a pet if not registered, pet owners can be fined.
With more than two dogs and/or two cats, you must also apply for an Excess Animal and Birds Permit
It costs $61 to register a desexed cat and $102 for a non-desexed cat.
Registration fees are non-refundable and include a state government levy of $4.23
Frankston City Council does impose a cat curfew, from dusk to dawn.
Cats must be kept within the property boundary at night, and it is recommended they are secured inside the property at all times.
Gannawarra Shire Council
The Gannawarra Shire Council has similar criteria to other councils for cat registration.
Complying with the Domestic Animal Act, cats must be registered and microchipped at three months.
Cats cannot be registered if they don’t have a microchip.
It costs $46 to register a desexed cat and $130 for a non-desexed cat.
The council said it would seize cats which were found outside their owners property.
Gannawarra doesn’t have a cat curfew, but is “we believe a curfew is required to reduce wildlife predation between sunset and sunrise.”
City of Glen Eira Council
Glen Eira Council does not enforce a cat curfew, but does encourage owners to keep their cats inside over night.
The council requires all cats to be registered and microchipped at three months.
It costs $38.96 to register a desexed cat and $111.64 for a non-desexed cat.
Desexing your pet is also encouraged but not essential. The council does offer a discount for registration on desexed cats.
Glenelg Shire Council
The Glenelg Shire Council imposes a cat curfew on all domestic cats from 7pm to 7am.
The council also requires all cats to be registered, desexed and microchipped when they are three months.
It costs $17.75 to register a desexed cat and $55.25 for a non-desexed cat.
Every year, the council does a door knock crossing the municipality, ensuring all pets are registered and safe.
Households are limited to two cats per home, unless owners obtain a permit.
Golden Plains Shire Council
All cats in the Golden Plains Shire are required to be registered with the council.
It costs $48 to register a desexed cat and $138 for a non-desexed cat.
The council does provide a discount for owners who have a dedicated cat enclosure on their property.
Cats are also required to be desexed (unless the owner has a relevant permit), and there are desexing programs available as well.
The council does not yet implement a cat curfew, but after community consultation earlier in the year, is looking at a possible curfew.
Greater Bendigo City Council
Bendigo has a sunset to sunrise a cat curfew in place, however the council is having a conversation with the community about whether a 24-hour curfew should be introduced in 2023.
Owners are at risk of a fine if their cat is found outside their registered property during the curfew periods.
All cats over three months must also be registered, microchipped and desexed.
It costs $38 to register a desexed cat and $114.50 for a non-desexed cat.
Greater Dandenong City
Greater Dandenong City Council director of planning, design and amenities Jody Bosman said “the law requires all owners of a cat over three months old to be registered”.
“All cats must be microchipped before they can be registered,” she said.
Ms Bosman encouraged all cat owners to desex their pet as it reduces their registration fee by 66 per cent for life, as well as being an effective measure for reducing the numbers of unwanted and feral cats in the environment.
“If a cat is desexed within one month of paying the registration fee, and a certificate of proof is provided, council will refund the difference,” she said.
It costs $22.15 to register a desexed cat and $62.15 for a non-desexed cat.
Ms Bosman also noted the Domestic Animals Act 1994 prohibits the return of an unregistered pet to the owner.
Residents can have two cats on their property in Greater Dandenong. If more than two cats are desired the owner needs to apply for a Council permit, much like surrounding council.
Greater Dandenong does not have a cat curfew, however has agreed to implement a cat curfew in 2023 and will consult with the community on the details for its future implementation.
Greater Geelong City Council
All cats in the Greater Geelong region must be registered with the council. Cats are also required to be desexed prior to being registered.
It costs $16.80 to register a desexed cat and $75.79 for a non-desexed cat.
Owners must also keep their cats inside overnight, as the cat curfew is in place from sunset to sunrise.
Greater Shepparton City Council
All cat owners are required to register their animals with the council once the animal is over three months, and must renew their registration by April 10 each year.
Cats must be desexed and microchipped prior to registration.
It costs $40 to register a desexed cat and $140 for a non-desexed cat.
Shepparton cat owners are subject to a 24/7 confinement rule of their pets.
Hepburn Shire Council
All cats must be registered with Hepburn Shire Council at 12 weeks of age, and have to be desexed and microchipped beforehand.
If a cat is under one and desexed, its registration is free. Otherwise, it costs $30 to register a desexed cat and $42 for a non-desexed cat. Cats that remain un-desexed past the age of one sustain a $84 registration fee.
Owners are also subject to a 24/7 confinement rule for cats.
If a cat if found wandering in an area that is not part of the registered owner’s property, the owner can be fined.
Hindmarsh Shire Council
Hindmarsh Shire Council also follows the Domestic Animals Act 1994 and Municipal Local Law.
The council requires all cats over the age of three months be registered, and once registered it is expected the animal will wear a council issued identifying tag on their collar.
It costs $38 to register a desexed cat and $108 for a non-desexed cat.
Cats are required to be confined within a residential or township zone, and a permit is required to keep more than two cats on one property.
A cat curfew is in place for residential and township zones between dusk and dawn.
Hobson Bay City Council
All cats over the age of three months must be registered with Hobsons Bay City Council. Registration tags should be attached to an elasticised collar or safety collar that breaks away if caught on something.
It costs $48 to register a desexed cat and $130 for a non-desexed cat.
There is no cat curfew.
Horsham Rural City Council
All cats over three months in Horsham Rural City Council must be registered with the council, be implanted with a microchip and wear its council issued ID tag at all times.
It costs $50 to register a desexed cat and $150 for a non-desexed cat.
Households are limited to two cats in the urban area, and the council does have a curfew —
cats must remain inside between sunset and sunrise.
Hume City Council
Cats in the Hume Council area must be registered, desexed and microchipped at three months.
There are mobile cat desexing services available for residents.
It costs $24 to register a desexed cat and $65 for a non-desexed cat.
Permits are required for people who want to have more than two cats on their property
Cats are not subject to a curfew, however Hume Council requires all wandering cats to have a bell attached to their collar, in order to protect local wildlife.
Indigo Shire Council
Indigo Shire Council adheres to the cat controls as per the Domestic Animal Act 1994.
All cats to be microchipped, registered and there is the ability for the public or authorised officers to impound cats if the cat is on private property without permission.
It costs $16.90 to register a desexed cat and $50.60 for a non-desexed cat.
Indigo does not have a cat curfew, however councillors are considering one.
Options could be a 24-hour curfew to a secure building, a 24-hour curfew to the property boundary, a sunset to sunrise curfew to a secure building or a sunset to sunrise curfew to the property boundary.
Kingston City Council
Kingston chief executive officer Peter Bean said there were 5179 registered cats across the municipality.
Kingston has a cat curfew of sunset to sunrise, which was introduced in 2009.
Breaching the curfew carries a fine of $182.
Cats also must be registered with the council, but owners will receive a discount if the cat is desexed, over 10 years old, kept for breeding at a licenced premises and/or registered with an applicable organisation.
It costs $44 to register a desexed cat and $171 for a non-desexed cat.
Knox City Council
In Knox, cats must be registered and microchipped with the council once they are three months old.
In order for an owner to register a cat, it must also be desexed.
It costs $48 to register a desexed cat and $204 for a non-desexed cat.
Residents must also have a permit to register two cats at one address, and cats are required to remain on their registered property at all times.
Latrobe City Council
All cats aged three months and over must be registered with the council. Cats cannot be registered unless they are microchipped and desexed with proof required.
It costs $23.50 to register a desexed cat.
Latrobe has a cat curfew confining cats to their owner’s property from 9pm to 6am.
Fines apply to those who choose to break the curfew.
Loddon Shire Council
Cats are required to be inside their owner’s property boundary at all times in the Loddon Shire.
Owners will be subject to fines if their pets are found outside their registered home.
Registration fees vary depending on the sterilisation status of your cat.
People are permitted to have two cats without needing a permit, and the council requires that all pets be registered, desexed and microchipped at three months old.
Macedon Ranges Shire Council
Macedon Ranges also requires all cats in its council area to be registered.
Cats must wear a registration tag if outside their premises.
The council encourages desexing of cats through free first year registration for desexed cats, and discounted registration each year after.
It costs $44 to register a desexed cat and $134 for a non-desexed cat.
A cat curfew is enforced by the council requiring owners to keep cats contained to their property between sunset and sunrise.
The curfew started in 2020, and also prohibits cats from sensitive environmental areas in the shire including Mount Gisborne Reserve, Malmsbury Common, Gisborne Marshlands, Woodend Grassland and Hanging Rock Reserve.
Manningham City Council
All pets are required to be registered, desexed and microchipped in the Manningham.
If a pet owner wants to have more than two cats registered to the property, they must obtain a permit from the council.
It costs $36.60 to register a desexed cat and $155.30 for a non-desexed cat.
There is no curfew for cats, but it is strongly suggested that owners keep their pets inside at night time.
Mansfield Shire Council
Like many other councils, Mansfield Shire requires cats be registered, desexed and microchipped at three months old.
It costs $45 to register a desexed cat and $165 for a non-desexed cat.
Cats are not required to be indoors overnight, but the council strong recommends owners keep them inside in order to increase their safety, and to protect other wildlife.
Maribyrnong City Council
Maribyrnong Council requires cats to be fully microchipped, desexed and registered with the council when they reach three months old.
Like in other municipalities, registration rolls over in April.
There is no cat curfew in place, but the council does recommend that owners keep their cats indoors overnight.
The cost to register a cat with the Maribyrnong council is $85.
Maroondah City Council
Maroondah Council enforces a cat curfew, requiring cats to be on their owner’s property from sunset to sunrise each day, either “inside a building or in a properly constructed enclosure.”
Cats are also required to be registered with the council, and be fully microchipped and desexed before the registration process.
Maroondah residents can have up to two cats or kittens microchipped free of charge.
A full year of registration for a new, desexed cat costs $46.
Melbourne City Council
Melbourne City Council enforces the same rule as many other councils, requiring owners to microchip and register their pets.
Lord Mayor Sally Capp said Melbourne was “pet-loving city”.
“We know our four-legged friends play an important role in the health and wellbeing of so many of our residents,” she said.
“Our animal management and park ranger teams regularly patrol our public spaces to ensure pet owners are doing the right thing, keeping Melburnians and other animals safe.”
The cost to register a desexed and microchipped cat is $40.
Cats must be wearing their registration tag when outside the owner’s property. There is no cat curfew.
Melton City Council
Melton requires all cats over three months of age to be microchipped, desexed and registered.
Proof of microchip and sterilisation must be provided at the time of registration.
The council does have options for reduced registration fees, in which case, the necessary documents would be required for the verification of eligibility.
Registration for a fully desexed and microchipped cat is $37.
The council does not have a cat curfew in place.
Merri-bek City Council
Merri-bek enforces a cat curfew, where owners are required to have their cats inside overnight.
While there is no time criteria for cats to be kept indoors, the council expects owner’s to act at their own discretion regarding the rule.
Cats are also required to be registered, desexed and microchipped with the council.
It costs $65 to register a desexed and microchipped cat after seven months of age, and $55 for desexed and microchipped cats under seven months of age.
Mildura Rural City Council
Mildura does not enforce a cat curfew, but does require owners to keep their pets safely confined to their registered property at all times.
Cats are required to be microchipped at the time of registration, and must be registered with the council from three months of age.
Unlike many councils, Mildura does not require cats to be desexed at the time of registration, however a desexed cat will receive a reduced registration fee.
It costs $49 to register a desexed cat and $142 for a non-desexed cat.
Mitchell Shire Council
Mitchell requires every cat over the age of three months must be registered within the municipality.
The council also enforced a cat curfew, in place from sunset to sunrise, where cats must be contained to their registered homes.
It costs $28 to register a fully desexed cat, and $114 for a non-desexed cat.
Moira Shire Council
Moira Shire Council requires cat owners to ensure their pets don’t trespass onto other people’s property.
Cats that do trespass can be seized and impounded.
Although there is no cat curfew, it is strongly suggested owners confine their cats to their registered properties.
Cats must also be registered and microchipped with the council.
The cost to register a un-desexed cat is $87.80, and the cost to register an un-desexed cat is $32.10.
City of Monash Council
Monash does enforce a cat curfew, from sunset or 7pm (which ever is later) to sunrise.
The curfew was introduced after extensive community consultation.
The curfew requires cat owners to keep their cats contained inside or on their property.
All cats must be microchipped and registered over the age of three months.
It costs $42.50 to register a desexed cat.
City of Moonee Valley Council
The City of Moonee Valley Council does impose a cat curfew.
Owners are required to keep their cats inside or confined to their registered property between sunset and sunrise.
It is also required that all cats above the age of three months old are registered and microchipped with the council.
It costs $14 to register a desexed cat and $54 for a non-desexed cat.
Moorabool Shire Council
Moorabool Shire Council follows the same regulations as other councils, requiring cats to be registered and microchipped.
It is also encouraged that cats are desexed when registered.
It costs $60 to register a desexed cat and $204 for a non-desexed cat.
The council imposes a sunset to sunrise curfew.
Mornington Peninsula Shire Council
Mornington Peninsula does imposes a cat curfew, where owners are required to confine cats 24/7 to their registered property.
It is also required that all cats above the age of three months old are registered, desexed microchipped with the council.
It costs $28.10 to register a desexed cat.
Mount Alexander Shire Council
There is a cat curfew in place from sunset to sunrise.
Owners are subject to a fine of $182.00 for a first offence if their cat is found outside their registered property during the curfew and $546.00 for a second or subsequent offence.
Mount Alexander Council also requires cats to be registered and microchipped at three months old.
Desexed cats cost $73 to register, and $146 for non-desexed cats.
Moyne Shire Council
Moyne also follows the same regulations regarding registration, microchipping and desexing.
There is no cat curfew in place.
It costs $31.50 to register a desexed cat and $126 to register a non-desexed cat.
Cats must be microchipped before registration, and must be done at three months old.
Murrindindi Shire Council
The Murrindindi Shire Council requires all cats above the age of three months to be microchipped and registered with the council.
Owners are at risk of an on the spot fine if they have an unregistered cat.
It costs $44.50 to register a desexed cat and $138 to register a non-desexed cat.
The council does not enforce a cat curfew, but it encourages community members to keep their cats at home.
Nillumbik Shire Council
Nillumbik requires all cats over three months of age to be registered and microchipped.
It costs $26 to register a desexed cat and $52 to register a non-desexed cat.
A cat curfew is in place from 7.30pm to 6am.
Northern Grampians Shire Council
All cats and dogs from 12 weeks of age need to be registered and permanently implanted with a microchip.
It costs $35 to register a desexed cat, and $100 to register a non-desexed cat.
There is no cat curfew.
City of Port Phillip Council
Port Phillip has strict rules on registering pets with the council.
All cats aged at least three months must be registered with the council, and desexing of newly registered cats is mandatory (with relevant exception).
It costs $37.15 to register a desexed cat, and $111.45 to register a non-desexed cat.
While collars are not compulsory, all cats must wear a council registration tag at all times when outside their owners’ premises.
The council introduced a cat curfew in 2022, where cats must not leave their registered property between the hours of 9pm and 6am.
Pyrenees Shire Council
All cats must be registered with the council once they reach three months of age. Cats must be desexed (as well as microchipped) before they can be registered in Pyrenees Shire.
It costs $21 to register a desexed cat, and $42 to register a non-desexed cat.
The council does not impose a cat curfew.
Queenscliffe Borough Council
All cats need to be registered with the council.
All cat owners must have their pet desexed before being registered with the council.
It costs $32.60 to register a desexed cat with the council.
A cat curfew is enforced, and all cats must be confined from sunset to sunrise.
South Gippsland Shire Council
In South Gippsland Shire, cats are required to be registered annually from the age of three months.
All cats must also be microchipped prior to registration as per legislation.
South Gippsland does not have mandatory desexing requirements, however, non-desexed cats do attract a higher registration fee. Registered cats are issued with a lifetime registration tag which is to be worn at all times when off the owner’s property. Replacement tags can be issued if lost, free of charge.
It costs $$55.85 to register a desexed cat and $164.45 for a non-desexed cat.
The council does not enforce a cat curfew, however it was identified as an issue when developing the council’s recent Domestic Animal Management Plan. Over the next three years, the council will investigate how to best address this issue in South Gippsland.
Southern Grampians Shire Council
All cats need to be registered over the age of three months with the Southern Grampians Shire and will be subject to a fine if they fail to do so.
Pets must also wear the council-issued registration tag at all times.
It costs $20 to register a desexed cat and $45 for a non-desexed cat.
A cat curfew is not enforced, but owners are encouraged to confine their cats to their registered property, particularly at night.
Stonnington City Council
Stonnington Council requires all pets to be registered, and to wear a identification tag.
Stonnington does not have a cat curfew.
It costs $43.55 to register a desexed cat and $134 for a non-desexed cat.
Strathbogie Shire Council
All dogs and cats living in Strathbogie Shire must be microchipped and then registered with council by the age of three months. Dog and cat registration renewals are due on April 10 each year and renewal notices are sent out in March.
It costs $42 to register a desexed cat and $197 for a non-desexed cat.
There is no cat curfew.
Surf Coast Shire Council
Cats within the shire, except the rural zone, must be confined to their owners‘ premises between 8pm and 6am daily.
The curfew doesn’t apply in areas zoned rural in the planning scheme as it’s difficult to confine a cat to a farm, and they are often instrumental in controlling vermin.
Under the curfew, council officers can seize cats found-at-large in any public area or outside their owner‘s property between 8pm and 6am. Owners have eight days to reclaim their cats.
All cats should be microchipped and registered and must wear a registration tag in the Surf Coast Shire.
It costs $71 to register a desexed cat with the council, and $215 for a non-desexed cat.
Swan Hill Rural City Council
All cats and dogs over three months must be microchipped and registered with the Swan Hill Rural City Council.
If a pet is not microchipped, registration will not be accepted.
It costs $45 to register a desexed cat with the council, and $135 for a non-desexed cat.
A cat curfew is not enforced in Swan Hill.
Towong Shire Council
All cats must be microchipped and then registered with council by the age of three months in Towong Shire, and must wear their council registration tag at all times.
It costs $41.60 to register a desexed cat with the council, and $116.60 for a non-desexed cat.
A cat curfew is not enforced.
Rural City of Wangaratta Council
The Rural City of Wangaratta Council requires cats to be microchipped and registered.
Cats are expected to have a collar and a council identification tag.
The council requires cats to remain in their registered properties, and where cats are found outside, an infringement may be issued.
It costs $46.80 to register a desexed cat with the council, and $140.50 for a non-desexed cat.
The Wangaratta Council does not have a cat curfew.
Warrnambool City Council
Warrnambool City requires all cats to be registered, including ‘inside cats’.
The council does enforce a curfew, where cats are required to be inside from sunset to sunrise.
Cats must also be microchipped and registered with the council at three months.
It costs $72 to register a desexed cat with the council, and $216 for a non-desexed cat.
Wellington Shire Council
Wellington Shire Council follows The Domestic Animals Act 1994, which requires all cats to be microchipped and registered with the shire they live in.
A spokesperson said despite this, not all cat owners comply.
“Unfortunately compliance rates for cat registrations are consistently low throughout the Wellington Shire, with 2125 of an estimated 6080 cats currently registered in 2022,” they said.
“This makes it very difficult to track the owners of lost cats. In Victoria, confinement rules for cats are left to individual councils to determine.”
The council does not have a cat curfew, but is reviewing cat containment restrictions as part of the 2021-2025 Domestic Animal Management Plan.
“In 2022 the community participated in community consultation, asking whether a 24-hour cat curfew is needed,” the spokesperson said.
“Over 1600 residents responded to the survey, with 68 per cent of respondents supporting a 24 hour cat curfew. The community consultation results are currently being reviewed by council.”
It costs $49 to register a desexed cat with the council, and $157 for a non-desexed cat.
West Wimmera Shire Council
All pets must be microchip and registered with the council at three months of age.
Registration must be renewed the registration every year by April 10.
Owners may be fined if their cat or dog is over three months old and is not registered.
It costs $42 to register a desexed cat with the council, and $120 for a non-desexed cat.
West Wimmera Shire Council has no cat curfew in place.
City of Whitehorse
All cats must be registered and microchipped at three months of age.
All cats must be desexed unless exempt, and as soon as your pet reaches three months of age it must be registered no matter what time of year.
It costs $21 to register a desexed cat with the council, and $57 for a non-desexed cat.
The City of Whitehorse has a strict a cat curfew in place, requiring cats to be confined indoors or in a suitable enclosure on the owner’s property between 8pm and 6am.
City of Whittlesea
The City of Whittlesea Council also implements the Domestic Animals Act 1994.
This requires all cats more than three months of age must be microchipped and registered with council.
It costs $26.40 to register a desexed cat with the council, and $91.35 for a non-desexed cat.
Whittlesea also requires cats to be contained to their property at all times and will also implement mandatory desexing for all newly registered animals from 2023.
Wodonga City Council
Wodonga City Council has a cat curfew in place, requiring cats must be confined to their owner’s property between 7pm and 7am, seven days a week.
Owners may be fined if their cat breaks the cat curfew.
All cats must be registered and microchipped with the council at three months of age.
The owners of cats who fail to register their animal may be liable for a $370 fine.
It costs $54 to register a desexed cat and $159 for a non-desexed cat.
Wyndham City Council
All cat owners are required by law to microchip and register cats with the council once they are three months old.
Desexing is mandatory for cats being registered in Wyndham.
It costs $24 to register a desexed cat with the council, and $41.50 for a non-desexed cat.
Wyndham Council has a strict a cat curfew in place, requiring cats to be confined indoors or in a suitable enclosure on the owner’s property between 10pm and 6am.
City of Yarra Council
Every cat over the age of three months must be microchipped and registered with the council, and must be microchipped and desexed before registration.
It costs $20.30 to register a desexed cat with the council, and $106.50 for a non-desexed cat.
While there is no cat curfew in place, the council does encourage cat owners to keep their cats confined at night.
Yarra Ranges Shire Council
Yarra Ranges Council has a 24/7 cat curfew in place which means residents must keep their cats within their property boundary at all times.
Cats must also be microchipped and registered with the council from three months. Cats can only be registered if they are already desexed or have an exemption.
It costs $16.75 to register a desexed cat and $107.50 for a non-desexed cat.
Yarriambiack Shire Council
Every cat over the age of three months must be microchipped and registered with the council, and must be microchipped and desexed before registration.
Failure to register or renew your animal registrations may lead to a $330 fine
It costs $30 to register a desexed cat with the council, and $90 for a non-desexed cat.
Yarriambiack council does not have a cat curfew, but does strongly encourage owners to confine their cats to their registered properties over night.
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