Council receives a number of nuisance complaints regarding domestic cat activity within the Golden Plains Shire.
A key objective of Council’s Domestic Animal Management Plan seeks to ‘provide the community with a clear understanding of Council’s expectation of pet owners’. Our team is committed to reducing documented cat nuisance complaints.
Across the Shire the majority of cat nuisance complaints relate to feral cat populations and in response Council has made cat traps available for residents with ongoing concerns. Within a residential street a cat can create a nuisance in a number of ways including cats fighting, scratching furniture, attacking or disrupting other pets, or killing native wildlife.
Several solutions are available to residents to address the ongoing problems associated with cats dependent on the level of ownership and problems presented.
Cat Enclosures - Reduced Cat Registration Fee
Owners of cats within Golden Plains Shire who have a dedicated cat enclosure, either separate or attached to their house, and where the cats do not roam outside of the enclosure, can apply to have their registration fee halved. (For new registrations, this will apply immediately. For current registrations, this will apply when registrations are due in April 2024). This program does not apply to owners of fertile cats.
The registration fee for any cat owner with an approved enclosure will be $25 per year or $12.50 for applicable concession card holders.
Registered Cats
Complaints with townships received by Council often relate to the activities of registered cats, which if encountered by our Community Safety Officers will not be impounded unless the owner cannot be contacted or located. We are therefore relying on cat owners to assist Council by keeping cats indoors at night where possible. Furthermore, if you suspect that your cat is causing a nuisance on a neighbouring property you are encouraged to explore options for containing the cat within its yard.
It is important to not only ensure you have you cats registered in Golden Plains Shire, but also make sure your cat's registration is up to date. If you have more than two cats, in most areas this will require you to make an application to keep excess animals.
- Update Your Pet Registration Details
- Excess Animal Keeping Permit (keeping of more than 2 dogs or 2 cats)
- Amend Animal Keeping Permit
Subsidised Cat Desexing Program
Council, the National Desexing Network and local veterinary clinics have joined forces to offer residents in need a subsidised desexing program to help prevent unwanted cats.
This program is free to pensioners, healthcare card holders, victims of family violence, residents on low incomes and people with too many cats to afford.
In addition, if cats are not already microchipped at the time of desexing, residents will pay just $5 to have their cat microchipped and free Council registration will be provided for the first registration period.
The program is managed by the National Desexing Network. If you need support, please phone the National Desexing Network on 1300 368 992 to find out if you are eligible. If eligible, you will be issued a desexing voucher and can then contact the vet to make an appointment. These subsidies are available while funds last.
Community Cats, Feral Cats and Cat Trap Hire
Community Cats
Do you have a friendly and sociable cat that comes around often for a feed and to socialise? The chances are that you may be feeding a community cat, one that is owned by no one but well socialised around people and fed by numerous community members. The problem with community cats is that with no one taking responsibility for them they are never de-sexed, vaccinated, properly cared for or registered. These unowned cats often suffer from very poor health and live in a state of starvation and disease. They are also known to kill native wildlife.
If you believe that you may be one of the hundreds of people out there feeding a community cat because you care for its welfare it may be time to take some action. Firstly, you will need to establish if the cat really is owned by anyone. You could do this by asking around the neighbourhood or by catching the cat and taking it somewhere to get it scanned for a microchip. Alternatively, you may ring Council and enquire about a cat trap. When the cat is caught Council officers will collect the animal and scan to see if it has been microchipped. If an owner can be identified that cat will be brought home, if possible. If an owner can't be identified, or cannot be reached, the cat will be taken to a local animal shelter where it will be held for 8 days before it has the chance of it being rehomed.
Feral Cats
Cat Trap Hire
Council has made cat traps available for residents who have encountered a community cat or a feral cat problem. This cat trap hire is a free service, with a $50 deposit which is refundable upon return of the cat trap
For more information about your responsibilities as a pet owner or the availability of cat traps please contact our Community Safety Team on 5220 7111. To learn more about being a responsible cat owner, visit the Agriculture Victoria website.
Cat Adoption
Geelong Animal Welfare Society (GAWS) in Moolap and Ballarat Animal Shelter (PetRescue) in Alfredton have animals available for adoption. You can have a look and see if your new family member is waiting for you by clicking the attached links.