Cat owners across the Surf Coast Shire are invited to drop-in sessions to help transition to the new cat curfew, which will start 30 September.
Council’s revised cat confinement order, also known as a cat curfew, requires all cats within the municipality to be confined at all times to the owner’s premises unless the cat is appropriately restrained.
To prepare for the updated cat curfew, cat owners can attend a drop-in session to chat with Council’s Ranger Services team on Saturday 19 August at:
§ Torquay Farmer’s Market – 1 Merrijig Drive (9.30am to 10.30am)
§ Anglesea Community House – 5 McMillan Street (11.30am to 12.30pm) or
§ Winchelsea Shire Hall – 28 Hesse Street (2pm to 3pm).
Councillor Rose Hodge says the drop-in sessions are an opportunity for cat owners to learn more about how modifications can be made to their property and to their cat’s behaviour, so that they can comply with the 24-hour curfew.
“The revised curfew is likely to reduce registered cats’ impact on neighbours and their pets, wildlife and becoming a nuisance,” she said.
“The drop-in sessions on 19 August will support a smooth transition to the updated curfew, offering cat owners the chance to ask our Rangers questions and to find out more about what you can do to prevent your cat from roaming outside your premises. Options include buying or building a cat enclosure for your yard, or installing cat-proof fencing.
“While these might seem like significant steps, it’s important to note that cat owners already have a legal obligation to ensure their cat doesn’t trespass on other people’s properties.”
Council’s previous cat curfew required cats in urban-zoned areas to be securely confined to the owner’s premises, between 8pm and 6am. There was no curfew in rural-zoned areas.
To learn more about the revised cat curfew and to view resources to help with the transition before 30 September, visit surfcoast.vic.gov.au/CatCurfew.
The 24-hour cat curfew promotes responsible pet ownership — a priority of Council’s Domestic Animal Management Plan.
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