Cat Control Order
Responsible pet management, together with enforceable animal control laws are the key to maintaining the balance between the needs of pet owners in our community and the welfare and rights of others. Recognising this, Wyndham Council introduced a Cat Control Order under the Domestic Animals Act 1994.
Cat Traps
If a cat is found wandering on your property during the curfew hours (10pm-6am), you may trap the cat and take it to the municipal pound. Please note that traps are only to be set on private property, not on public land.
The cat owner may be found guilty of an offence and could be liable to a penalty of up to $100. If the cat remains unclaimed for more than eight days and an alternate home cannot be found, it may lead to the cat being put down.
Hiring a cat trap is free for the first week and $12 per week thereafter. A $100 deposit will be refunded in full when the trap is returned to Council. The maximum hire time is three weeks. Once trapped, the cat should be taken to the municipal pound.
Cat traps can be hired from the
Municipal Pound
233-253 Old Geelong Road, Hoppers Crossing
Opening Hours: Monday to Friday, 8am - 10am and 2.30pm - 4.30pm
Training Cat to Stay Indoors
If your cat is used to roaming out at night, it is important to start training it to stay indoors, so that a pattern is established.
- Gradually lengthen the time your cat spends inside and ensure that you provide an enriched environment.
- Food, warmth and comfort are major driving forces in a cat’s life. Companionship and interaction, food, fresh water, a litter tray, a scratching post, toys and a warm place to sleep should be enough to keep it happy until the next morning.
- To train your cat to come home before sunset, don’t feed it until it is inside - cats soon learn that they don’t get fed unless they are home by dusk. Once your cat has eaten and you have ensured that all its other needs are being met, don’t let it out until morning.
With patience and understanding, your cat will soon adapt to the new house rules.
Department of Primary Industry has information regarding keeping of cats. Download a copy:
Code of Practice for Private Keeping of Cats (Vic)
Cat Proof Fencing & Enclosure
For further information, call Council‘s Legislative Services Unit on 9742 0811.