Legal requirements for cat owners

The law aims to protect animals from neglect and cruelty and to protect the community from animals becoming a nuisance or danger.

Microchipping and registration of your cat

Microchipping and registering your cat are important steps to keep them safe and help reunite you if they ever get lost.

By law, all cats aged 3 months and older must be registered with the local council. Registration must be renewed by 10 April each year.

Before registering your cat for the first time, they must be microchipped.

When you register your cat, the council will issue you an individual identification marker (i.e. a registration tag). Your cat's council registration tag can be attached to an elasticised or safety collar that breaks away if it gets caught on something. If you use a regular collar, it should fit snugly but comfortably, allowing you to fit 2 fingers between the collar and your cat's neck.

If your cat has access to the backyard, attach a bell to the collar to warn any potential prey.

Find out more about pet registration and microchipping.

Council local laws

Many councils have specific laws for cat owners. For instance, some councils require cats to be desexed, confined to their owner’s property during certain hours or at all times, or restrict and prohibit cats in certain areas. Check with your council to confirm the rules that apply in your area.

If you plan to keep multiple cats (or dogs) a permit may be required. The maximum number allowed per household varies by council, so check the limits with your council before getting more pets.

Failure to comply with legal requirements, such as microchipping and registration, may result in fines.

Trespass and nuisance

If your cat is found wandering off without identification (such as a registration tag), it can be seized and taken to the council pound. You may have to pay a fine to reclaim your cat.

If your cat, even if identified, repeatedly wanders onto someone else’s property, it can also be seized and impounded. The council may issue an order requiring you to stop your cat from trespassing, and failing to comply could result in a fine.

Health and welfare

As a cat owner, you have a legal responsibility to protect your pet's health and welfare.

The Code of Practice for the Private Keeping of Cats explains the basic requirements for keeping your cat healthy and happy. It covers topics like your responsibility as an owner to provide proper care, including food, water, shelter and veterinary treatment. The code also provides guidance on nutrition, housing, and managing health and disease.

Under animal cruelty laws, mistreating or failing to properly care for your cat can lead to:

• fines
• jail time
• a ban on owning animals.

If a cat owner is under 18 years of age, their parent or guardian is considered the legal owner and will be held responsible for any penalties or prosecutions.

Learn more about how to ensure your cat's health and welfare.