Nuisance Cats
General advice for cat owners
An owner of a cat is legally required to microchip and register its cat and put a collar with a tag on it.
We encourage cat owners to put a bell on its collar, desex it and keep it inside at night.
RSPCA Guide to Keeping Your Cat Safe and Happy at Home(PDF, 1MB)
There is no legal requirement however for a cat to be secured inside a private property.
As cats can wander onto neighbouring properties Council does not trap or seize stray cats.
What is a ‘nuisance’ cat?
What is the definition of a 'nuisance' cat'?
A cat is classified a nuisance if:
- it makes a noise that persistently occurs or continues and unreasonably interferes with the peace, comfort, or convenience of any person in any other premises, or
- it repeatedly damages anything outside the property on which it is ordinarily kept.
Companion Animals Act 1998 Section 31 (1)
What can I do if I have issues with nuisance, stray, or feral cats?
Contact your Neighour
Talk to your neighbour that owns problem cats and suggest that they keep the cat(s) indoors. Please note that there is no legal requirement for cats to be kept indoors at any time of day or night.
Deter the Cat
Do not feed the cat. This will entice the cat to continue visiting your home.
Buy an animal deterrent from a hardware, pet, or garden supply store.
About Trapping
Council does not supply traps, seize stray cats, or provide transportation services for seized cats.
If you choose this option and you are aware who the owner is, you are legally obligated to return the cat to the owner.
If the owner cannot be located, the cat must be transported to an animal holding facility pound.
Talk to our Community Safety and Compliance Officer
You can notify Council of a nuisance cat (as defined in Section 31(1) of the Companion Animal Act).
Council requires the following:
- You must have seen the act or event
- You need to be able to provide evidence that the cat is a nuisance (photos, statutory declarations, etc)
- You must provide the address of where the cat resides.
For more information please contact Council on 02 9843 0555 during business hours.