Cat Local Laws

Proposed Local Law - Cat Amendment Local Law 2022

The City of Kwinana’s new Cat Local Law requires greater control of cats to protect wildlife.

A new Cat Local Law limiting the number of cats allowed on premises is intended to provide significant environmental benefit to the district by enabling greater regulation and control of cats.

Purpose - the purpose of the local law is to amend the City of Kwinana Cat Local Law 2022.

Effect - the effect of the proposed law is to:
1. revoke existing provisions relating to cats wandering; and
2. create cat prohibited areas within the district.

Cat Local Law 2022

Cat Amendment Local Law 2022

Cat Local Law as Amended

Note: This is a compilation of the City of Kwinana’s Cat Local Law 2022, which was published in the Government Gazette on 29 March 2022 (pages 2434-2437), as amended and published in the Government Gazette on 11 October 2022 (pages 4910-4911).

Does this apply to owners with an existing multi-cat household?
  • Yes, the new Local Law applies to multi-cat households. However, the City is implementing the new local law in a staged approach and will work with cat owners to help them reach compliance.  In instances where more than 2 cats already exist in a household, the City will work with the household to get a permit in place for the existing cats. 
How will foster carers be affected?
  • “Foster caring” is not an activity defined in the Cat Act 2011 or the new Local Law.  
  • Under the Cat Act 2011, any cat over the age of 6 months that resides on a property for more than 14 days is required to be registered.
  • There is no provision in the Cat Act 2011 that waives the requirement registration of a cat even in a “foster caring” arrangement.  If a cat older than 6 months of age is in “foster care” for more than 2 weeks, the cat is required by the Cat Act 2011 to be registered with the City.
  • Under the new Local Law “foster carers” are subject to the same limit of a maximum of 2 cats per household as per other households.
Was I consulted about the proposed law?
  • Yes, the new Local Law went through a process of public consultation over the last two years, was advertised on the City’s website and in the local newspaper, and was gazetted in the Western Australian Government Gazette.
Why are two cats the limit?
  • Limiting the number of cats per household to 2 cats and having cats under effective control in a public place or contained to their home property will greatly reduce the opportunity for hunting and the impacts hunting has on native animals
  • The limitation on the number of cats will also reduce the nuisance impacts (odours etc) that can occur if excessive numbers of cats exist on a property
How will this be enforced?
  • Education is the City’s primary focus at this time to encourage cat owners to meet their obligations without the need for enforcement actions.  As time goes on it is anticipated that compliance activities will primarily be complaint driven with some proactive work in known problem areas.
How do I apply for a permit?
  • The best way to arrange an application currently is to contact the City Rangers. In the future the application will be placed on the City’s website.
Will I have to surrender one of my cats?
  • Existing Registered Cats - No, you will not have to surrender your cats.  If you have more than 2 pre-existing registered cats and no history of nuisance from the cats on the property you should apply for a permit and one will be issued to you. Permits issued in this situation will remain current until such time as the number of animals listed on the permit reduces to two either by the animals passing away or moving to a new owner/address. 
  • New Registrations of Existing Unregistered Cats – While the local law is in the implementation phase consideration will be given to permits being issued for existing unregistered cats. Prior to registration being approved for a third or subsequent cat on a property the cat owner will need to apply for a permit and have the permit issued.
  • New Registrations of New Cats – Prior to being able to register more than 2 cats to a property a cat owner will need to apply for a permit and have this approved before bringing the additional cat onto the property.
Why no limits on dogs?
  • The Dog Act 1976 limits the number of dogs able to be registered to a property to 2 dogs unless a permit is approved for more.  The new Cat Local Law brings cats into line with the same requirement already in existence for dogs.
  • The Dog Act 1976 limits the number of dogs able to be registered to a property to 2 dogs unless a permit is approved for more.  The new Cat Local Law brings cats into line with the same requirement already in existence for dogs.
Does this apply to cat breeders?
  • Yes, the local law applies to cat breeders
  • Cat breeders are required to obtain both a Development Approval under the City’s Local Planning Scheme and a permit for more than 2 cats under the Local Law.
  • Yes, the local law applies to cat breeders
  • Cat breeders are required to obtain both a Development Approval under the City’s Local Planning Scheme and a permit for more than 2 cats under the Local Law.
Will Rangers be trapping cats?
  • There are no plans at this time for City Rangers  to undertake trapping activities.   
  • The City’s Environment team undertakes a trapping program for feral cats on Council land only.
  • There are no plans at this time for City Rangers to undertake trapping activities.   
  • The City’s Environment team undertakes a trapping program for feral cats on Council land only.
How does this apply to kittens?

Under the Cat Act 2011, cats/ kittens are required to be registered by the time they reach 6 months of age. Unregistered kittens under the age of 6 months are not counted in the 2 cats per household limit contained within the local law.

What are the cat registration fees?

Cat registration fees are set in Schedule 3 of the Cat Regulations 2012 and then adopted by Council each year.  The current fees can be found in the City of Kwinana Fees and Charges document.

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