Owning a cat
'In ancient times cats were worshipped as gods; they have not forgotten this.' – Terry Pratchett
Research suggests that cats may make our lives happier and healthier. For the comfort, safety and health of the community and our animals, cat owners have the following responsibilities,
Responsible cat ownership
As a responsible pet owner, you have an obligation to ensure your pet does not cause a nuisance to other people or the environment.
Many cat owners are not aware they are legally responsible for everything their cat does, especially when it is outside their property.
Microchip your cat
Under NSW law, pet cats must be microchipped. The Companion Animals Act sets out the rules for pet ownership in NSW. This includes the requirement for dogs and cats to be microchipped and registered.
Your dog or cat must be microchipped and registered by 12 weeks of age or before being sold or given away.
Desexing and microchipping can be done by your vet or by other qualified individuals including some Friends of Kempsey Pound volunteers.
Register your pet
If you own a cat, it must be registered with Council and must always wear their registration tag. Failure to register your cat may result in fines being issued.
Under NSW law, pet cats must be microchipped and then registered. All cats must be registered by 12 weeks of age.
Registering your pet can be done online or in person. The Office of Local Government’s step-by-step guide will provide you zzxwith the necessary information for registering your pet. Read more on how to register a cat.
The registration fee is a once-only, lifetime payment, even if pet ownership changes. For dog and cat registration or pound fees, see Council's Schedule of Fees and Charges.
Keep details up to date
As a cat owner, you must update your contact details whenever you move.
If your animal is registered and your details are up to date, your pet can be safely returned to you if it gets lost.
Desex your cat
Desexing your cat will not only help reduce the unwanted pet population but also reduces your registration fee and helps keep your cat safe. Desexed cats can live happier, healthier lives and are less likely to get diseases. Desexing can reduce behaviour problems such as aggression and spraying.
By four months of age your cat should be desexed to avoid additional registration fees. Until desexed, an annual permit is required for cats who are not desexed after this age.
Keep your cat safe
For the safety of your cat and local wildlife, it is highly recommended that you keep your cat inside at night. However, this is not required by law.
Council also recommends you attach a bell to your cat’s collar to warn other animals that your cat is approaching.
Contrary to popular belief, cats don't need to roam. Providing their basic needs are met, cats can enjoy longer and healthier lives when confined inside or in an enclosure. Cats that roam from their property are at risk of being run over, attacked by other cats or dogs, or going missing.
If your cat is found wandering from your property and/or is impounded, you may receive a Council fine and be required to pay an impound release fee.
Cats must stay out of restricted areas such as food preparation zones.
Cat complaints
Feral Cats
Feral cats (Felis catus) have never been domesticated - they are truly wild animals. These cats will have nothing to do with humans and have no reliance on humans for food or shelter. They live in the wild, killing wildlife and scavenging for food.
Feral cats can carry infectious diseases which can be transmitted to native animals, domestic livestock and humans. They are a serious threat to the survival of endangered native animal species.
Feral cats are classified as a restricted invasive species due to the significant impact they have on the environment. It is the responsibility of landholders to control restricted invasive animals on their property.
Stray cats
Stray cats are usually cats which have at some stage been domestic pets but for some reason have had to fend for themselves, whether they have become lost or been abandoned.
Unlike dogs, cats are free to roam. There is no legal requirement for a cat to be secured inside a private property and no offence in a cat straying or roaming onto neighbouring properties.
If you find a cat, we suggest you:
- leave it alone - if the cat is a domestic cat, it is allowed to roam and will likely find its own way home
- speak with your neighbours to determine whether it’s owned by anyone nearby
- you can take it to a local vet to see if the cat is microchipped
- if the cat is causing a nuisance lodge a complaint with our rangers by calling 6566 3200
If a cat is repeatedly engaging in nuisance behaviour, Council recommends you speak to the owner and try to find an acceptable solution. If the problem persists, you can contact Council for advice on 6566 3200. Council has cat traps available for use in some circumstances.