How many Cats can I keep?
From 1 March 2022, amendments to the Cat Management Act 2009 will limit the number of cats a person can keep on an individual property to four (4) cats.
The limit does not apply to a person keeping more than four cats if the person:
and no payment is made for keeping the cat.
- holds a Multiple Cat Permit; or
- is a registered cat breeder; or
- holds a Cat Breeding Permit in relation to all cats in excess of four cats; or
- is operating a cat boarding facility or veterinary establishment; or
- is fostering a cat for a Cat Management Facility or an approved organisation; or
- is minding someone else's cat for less than six months, and the owner of the cat does not reside on the individual property, and no payment is made for keeping the cat.
Multiple Cat Permits
From 1 March 2022, a person is required to hold a Multiple Cat Permit if they have more than four cats over the age of four months, and none of the exceptions listed above apply to their circumstances.
There are two different application forms, one for individuals, and one for organisations.
How to apply for a Multiple Cat Permit
Applications for a Multiple Cat Permit can be submitted by completing an on-line application form:
Multiple Cat Permit - Individual
Multiple Cat Permit - Organisation
A person wishing to apply for a Multiple Cat Permit must:
- complete the application in full;
- understand the conditions of the permit (an applicant may still submit an application even if they are currently unable to meet all the conditions of the permit, as time will be afforded for applicants to be able to comply);
- agree to placing a public notice of their intention to hold a Multiple Cat Permit (to be provided) either at the entry points of their property, or in a common area of an apartment or unit complex.
General Conditions of a Multiple Cat Permit
- Desexing of Cats: All cats kept under a Multiple Cat Permit must be desexed. Evidence in the form of a desexing certificate, or a letter from a veterinary surgeon, must be provided to an authorised person on request. Exceptions to this condition are in accordance with section 14(2) of the Cat Management Act 2009 ('the Act').
- Microchipping of Cats: All cats kept under a Multiple Cat Permit must be microchipped. Evidence in the form of a current microchip registration must be provided to an authorised person on request. Exceptions to this condition are in accordance with section 12(2) of the Act.
- Cats to be contained on the individual property: All cats kept under a Multiple Cat Permit must not be permitted to enter or remain in any other property or premises without permission from the owner or occupier of the property.
- Exceeding permitted number of cats: The number of cats kept on the property shall not exceed the number for which a Multiple Cat Permit is granted. Exceptions to this condition is in accordance with section 16(3)(f) of the Act.
- Health conditions: Living conditions at the identified property must not cause, or be likely to cause, danger or harm to the health and safety or welfare of any cat or person residing at the identified property.
- Comply with legislation and by-laws: All cats kept under a Multiple Cat Permit must be kept in accordance with the requirements of the Cat Management Act 2009, Cat Management Regulations 2012, the Animal Welfare Act 1993, and relevant council by-laws in relation to the keeping of animals.
- Permission for inspection: The permit holder must make the premises (including residential buildings) available for inspection by an authorised person at any reasonable time deemed necessary by a person authorised under the Act.
- Production of Multiple Cat Permit: A valid Multiple Cat Permit must be retained and produced for inspection by arrangement at the request of a person authorised under the Act.
How much does a Multiple Cat Permit cost?
There will not be a charge for a Multiple Cat Permit in 2022. This may be subject to change.
Objections to an application for a Multiple Cat Permit
A person who lives on or owns land within 200m of the boundary of a property to which the application for the permit relates has a right to object to the granting of a Multiple Cat Permit. Objections can be made by completing the form located on the webpage Objections to an Application for a Multiple Cat Permit.