A review of cat curfews is underway at Surf Coast Shire Council, with a survey welcoming community feedback.
Council is considering cat curfews as part of its Domestic Animal Management Plan 2022-25, which guides how people, dogs and cats can live together.
Local law requires cats in urban areas in the Surf Coast Shire to be securely confined to the owner’s premises from 8pm to 6am. In rural areas there are no restrictions as it is difficult to confine a cat to a farm, and they are often instrumental in controlling vermin.
Mayor Cr Libby Stapleton encouraged people to share their views on cat curfews to help determine whether to keep the current rules or to consider changes, including a 24-hour cat curfew.
“There are 924 cats registered as domestic pets across the shire, with half of those in the Torquay Ward,” she said.
“While we only receive a low number of complaints about cats – we had 58 in 2021 – we recognise that free-roaming cats can have a negative impact on native wildlife and neighbouring pets.
“As well as helping prevent harm to wildlife, cat curfews improve the health and safety of cats. A cat curfew can prevent injuries that can occur through fights with other cats, being run over by a vehicle, eating toxic plants or poisons, or from wandering onto neighbouring households where they could cause a nuisance.”
The cat curfew survey can be completed via surfcoast.vic.gov.au/yoursay before 5pm Monday September 12.
“Whether you’re a cat owner or not, whether you live in an area zoned urban or rural, we’d love your input on this topic,” Cr Stapleton said.
“The rules that outline how cats need to be contained are vital, similar to the state law that requires dogs to be securely confined to their owner’s property.
“Ultimately the review of cat curfews will help us create a safer Surf Coast for our community, our cats, and our native wildlife.”
