Cats in the Shire of Exmouth
Feral cats are a significant issue in Western Australia, and figures show that approximately 5,000 are euthanised each year. They are a particular issue in Exmouth also as they have been proven to diminish the populations of local native small mammals and birds.
On 1 November 2013, the Department of Local Government introduced the Cat Act 2011, to help resolve the issue of Feral Cats in Western Australia. The Cat Act 2011 requires that all cats that have reached six months of age be:
- Microchipped
- Sterilised, and
- Registered with the Shire of Exmouth.
Microchipping and registration will ensure cats are identifiable and can be returned to their owner should they stray. In addition, the requirement for all cats to be sterilised will reduce unwanted breeding of cats.
If a cat is seized and cannot be identified, the local government may consider it unowned and after 3 days it can be rehomed or as a last resort destroyed.
The new cat laws are not only about encouraging responsible pet ownership, but they are also aimed at reducing the number of unwanted cats in the community and the number that are euthanised each year.
My Responsibilities as a Cat Owner
Cat Registration
Microchip and Sterilise your Cat
Breeding Cats
How Many Cats can I Own?
How do I report unowned or unregistered cats?
What happens if I don't comply with the Legislation?
Impounded Cats
Useful Links
My Responsibilities as a Cat Owner
From 1 November 2013, the Cat Act 2011 began to be enforced, which requires all cats that have reached six months of age to be:
- Microchipped
- Sterilised, and
- Registered with the Shire of Exmouth.
Your cat will be required to wear a collar and registration tag to ensure they can be easily identified and returned to you if they become lost.
If a cat is seized and cannot be identified, the local government may consider it unowned and after 3 days it can be rehomed or as a last resort destroyed.
Cat Registration
From the 1st of November 2013, all domestic cats over the age of 6 months need to be registered with the Shire.
To register your cat please visit the Shire Administration Office on Maidstone Crescent to fill in a registration form or click here to download a registration form.
Details
| Registration Charges | 1 year | 3 years | Lifetime |
|---|
| Sterilised Cat |
$20.00 |
$42.50 |
$100 |
|---|
Pensioners receive a 50% discount on presentation of their pension card.
Sterilisation certification needs to be sighted by the person issuing a registration. All cats must be sterilised before being registered to prevent them contributing to the increasing population of unwanted / feral cats and kittens.
It is an offence not to register your cat with the maximum penalty for failing to register your cat being $500.00.
If the ownership details of cat change, including your phone number, address or a new owner, please notify Council in writing so our registration records can be kept up to date. This in turn will mean your cat will be returned home sooner.
Microchip and Sterilise your Cat
All cats must be sterilised and microchipped by the time they reach 6 months of age. If you own a cat then you will have until 1 November 2013 to have your cat sterilised and microchipped. Once the cat is sterilised and microchipped, you need to provide this evidence to the Shire to get it registered. The Shire will then issue you a registration tag which you must make sure your cat wears whenever it is in a public place.
A microchip is a tiny electronic chip that is unique, unalterable and immovable and is inserted under an animal's skin by a veterinarian. The data on this chip is then registered on a national database. Local pounds, veterinarians and animal shelters can scan a lost cat and retrieve the owner's details from the microchip.
Microchipping is a permanent and cost-effective way of increasing your cat's chances of being returned to you should it become lost or stolen. With a microchip, the chances of your cat being returned home increases as the Shire's rangers and local Vets will scan a lost cat for a microchip.
It is also important that you keep your contact information on the microchip up to date, and if your cat is microchipped remember to inform the Council so we can record the details on our registration database.
Microchipped animals must still wear their registration and name tags at all times.
Breeding Cats
If you are a current breeder or wish to become a breeder you must apply to the Shire for a cat breeding permit which are valid for 12 months from the date of issue.
When a cat is sold or given away, you must ensure that the cat is microchipped and sterilised prior to transfer. If the cat cannot be sterilised due to its young age, you must issue a prepaid sterilisation voucher to the new owner.
The Shire is currently in the process of producing a cat breeding application form. If you would like to be notified of when you can apply for a Cat Breeding permit, please CLICK HERE.
How Many Cats can I Own?
There are no restrictions on the number of cats a person can own, however, all cats will need to be registered with the Shire by 1st November 2013.
How do I report unowned or unregistered cats?
If you believe that you have unowned or unregistered cats in your area, you may report them to the Shire by contacting Ranger Services on 9949 3000 or by completing an online form Here.
What happens if I don't comply with the Legislation?
The Shire has a number of options to respond to non-compliance and may take the following steps:
- Verbally request you comply
- Issue a written request in the form of a Cat Control Notice
- Issue an infringement notice
- Commence proceedings for a prosecution.
If you are convicted of two or more offences under this Act in 12 months, the Shire may cancel your cat’s registration, in which case it could be seized for non-compliance.
Impounded Cats
Cats impounded must be kept for seven days if the owner can be identified and three days otherwise before either being re-homed or euthanized.
It is your responsibility to register and microchip your cat to ensure that it is returned home to you.
Useful Links
Cat Act 2011
Western Australia Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (RSPCA WA)
Saving Animals from Euthanasia - S.A.F.E