Buying or adopting a new cat is a delight, but it does come with responsibilities. Make sure you’re ready to take on an animal and that you have the right house for the breed you’re choosing. Find out what you can do to keep your cat, your neighbours and your community happy.
Responsible cat ownership
Under the Companion Animals Act 1998, all cats must be:
- microchipped
- registered
Cats that are not desexed may also incur an additional annual permit fee. Find out more about registering your pet.
While there is currently no legal requirement for cats to be contained within a private property, Northern Beaches Council encourages owners to keep cats safely indoors or within secure outdoor enclosures where possible.
Keeping cats contained:
- helps protect local wildlife
- reduces nuisance behaviours
- lowers the risk of injury, disease, theft, and road trauma to cats
As cats are legally permitted to roam, Council generally does not trap, seize or collect stray cats from private property.
Safe and happy cats
We’re huge cat-lovers, with an estimated 50,000 animals living on the Northern Beaches. But according to RSPCA NSW, 2 in 3 cat owners have lost a cat to a roaming-related accident and 1 in 3 to a car accident!
That is why we are partnering with RSPCA NSW on their Keeping Cats Safe at Home program. This 4-year education project is funded by the NSW Government to encourage cat owners to adopt a safe-at-home lifestyle, protecting their favourite feline from outdoor threats and reducing their impact on our native wildlife.
Check out their Keeping Your Cat Safe and Happy At Home webpage, which has plenty of helpful information on what you need to provide for your cat inside, and how you can even offer your cat safe access to fresh air and the outdoors.
Where your cat can’t go
Be a responsible cat owner and keep your cat out of wildlife protection areas, that is all national parks, most bushland areas and some parks and reserves. Keep your cat away from any area where an endangered species or other wildlife live.
Considerations before buying a cat
Owning a cat is a big responsibility. Make sure you have the means to provide veterinary care and food for your cat. Some cats can live more than 20 years so it is a true commitment. Finally, be sure everybody in your house will love and welcome your new feline.
When your cat comes home
Cats are hunters and an important factor in the decline of native animal populations. Northern Beaches Council encourages all cat owners to keep their cats indoors at night, to not feed stray cats and to have your cat cared for properly when you’re away on holidays.
Nuisance cats
Cats who attack native wildlife, destroy property or cause too much noise are deemed a nuisance. Keep your cat indoors, especially at night. Cats are big sleepers so provide entertainment for them when they’re awake.
Under the Companion Animals Act 1998, a cat may be considered a nuisance if it:
- repeatedly makes noise that unreasonably interferes with the peace, comfort, or convenience of another person, or
- repeatedly damages property outside the premises where it is ordinarily kept
If you are experiencing issues with a cat
Speak with your neighbour
- Where possible, speak calmly and respectfully with the cat’s owner about the issue. Many owners may not be aware their cat is causing a problem.
- You may wish to suggest:
- keeping the cat indoors, particularly at night
- using a cat enclosure or cat-proof fencing
- Providing additional enrichment at home
Deterring cats from your property
Residents can take humane steps to discourage cats from entering their property, including:
- removing food sources
- securing rubbish bins
- using motion-activated sprinklers
- using commercially available animal deterrents from hardware or pet stores
- do not feed roaming cats. This will encourage them to return to your property
Feral cats and animal welfare concerns
Feral cats are managed separately under pest animal management frameworks.
For sick, injured, abandoned, or welfare-related concerns, residents may contact:
- RSPCA Australia
- local veterinary clinics
- wildlife rescue organisations where appropriate