The conversation

In July and August 2024 we asked the community for feedback on cat management measures that would aim to keep cats safe and happy while also protecting our environment and community.

The proposed measures included mandatory cat desexing, cat curfews and cat containment.

Gathering insights

The engagement period ran for four weeks from 26 July to 26 August 2024.

We collected feedback through:

  • an online survey on Participate Melbourne
  • written submissions.

Who we heard from

We received 1758 responses to our survey – 66 per cent of respondents were cat owners.

We also received six written submissions from important organisations including The Lost Dogs’ Home and the Australian Pet Welfare Foundation.

For a more in-depth breakdown of who we heard from, please see the full engagement summary report (PDF 870.68 KB).

1758

Online survey responses

6

Written submissions from important organisations

What we heard

The engagement findings overall were supportive of cat desexing and cat containment.

Of the 1758 responses:

  • 84.5 per cent support mandatory desexing of cats; 8.3 per cent of respondents were not supportive.
  • 75.8 per cent supported the containment of cats to their owners’ property; 17.8 per cent were not supportive.

The feedback has been reviewed and summarised into the below themes:

  • Environment
  • Animal welfare
  • Support for desexing
  • Support for curfews
  • Conflicted feelings


You said:

"Cats need to be kept away from native environmental systems so that native species and biodiversity can be protected."

"This is a great idea and I'm pleased to see council considering something that will benefit cats, owners and our environment."

"Cat owners have a responsibility to ensure their animals are contained within their property and not damaging the local environment and causing nuisance."

"People should be supported in responsible cat ownership so that we can continue to enjoy and gain the benefits of cat companionship, without unduly damaging our environments."

"Containment is the responsible thing to do to protect your cat and the environment."


You said:

"You should keep animal welfare in mind when formulating this policy - both the welfare and wellbeing of the cats, and that of native wildlife too."

"Pet owners must look after the welfare of both their animals and the environment."

"I support mandatory desexing out of concern for the welfare of the kittens in care of inexperienced backyard breeders, and shelters are full of cats and kittens to be adopted out."


You said:

"I am 100% supportive of cat containment and mandatory desexing."

"I think all cats should be desexed if they are to be kept as a pet."

"As a cat owner I think cats should be desexed and contained so they don't impact wildlife."

"Desexing is the solution."

"Mandatory desexing for cats and curfews at an absolute minimum."


You said:

"I support nighttime curfews."

"I fully support both cat curfews and subsidised cat desexing (and free cat desexing for low-income earners, I would have benefited from this as a student taking in a stray cat) to ensure the safety of both wildlife and cats."

"To me, it seems that the implementation of cat curfews throughout the day and night is a no brainer."


You said:

"Mandatory desexing may discourage registration due to costs involved for both, as well as requirement to desex before registration."

"Population control should be important, but I can see why it would be unattainable to enforce. Desexing is expensive, who pays for it?"

"It's very difficult to keep cats from roaming especially during the summer. They don't want to be contained. We try to keep ours indoors but when it's hot they run so they won't be put indoors."

"Most cat owners I know ignore cat curfews and the Council do not have the staff to enforce it."

Impact

Overall, most participants support mandatory cat desexing and some form of cat containment either all the time, at night or from environmentally sensitive areas.

The community expressed some concerns regarding the proposed changes. Some participants expressed that the cost of desexing and cat enclosures may prevent some people from being able to comply with the new rules, which may lead to an increase in cats being surrendered or abandoned.

The feedback we received during the engagement period will directly inform which measures we introduce to manage cats in the municipality.

Next steps

The engagement report and proposed cat containment measures were presented to the Future Melbourne Committee for endorsement on 1 April 2025.

Based on the strong levels of support we received during this consultation; Council has endorsed the introduction of cat management measures which will require all cats to be:

  • contained to their property between the hours of 6pm and 8am
  • desexed (some exemptions will apply)
  • prohibited from waterways, riverine environments and certain major parks and gardens, unless under effective control by means of a purpose-built carrier, or harness and leash, and in the presence of their owner at all times.

These measures will come into effect on 1 October 2025 and be reviewed in mid-2026. We’ll share more information soon and support cat owners throughout the transition period.

Cat Management