Published on Monday, 24 February 2025 at 9:29:00 AM
The City of Vincent is taking steps to ensure owners keep their cats safe at home and local wildlife are protected.
Council supported Mayor Alison Xamon’s notice of motion at this month’s meeting which requested Administration to seek legal advice on whether cat containment provisions were enabled in the Cat Act 2011 and could be added to its Animal Local Law.
Vincent will also request the State Government to bring forward the review of the Act to enable local governments to implement cat containment laws.
This comes after the Animal Local Law was adopted in 2023, which saw the introduction of cat prohibited areas in Hyde Park, Britannia Reserve, Smiths Lake Reserve, Robertson Park and Warndoolier.
“Cats, particularly feral ones, are known to be predators to various mammals, reptiles and birds in WA,” said Ms Xamon.
“Roaming domestic cats in residential streets and public areas can also pose a risk to not only themselves and other cats but local wildlife and people.
“This is why we need to do everything we can to protect animals in our parks and encourage responsible pet ownership.”
Ms Xamon said there needed to be a consistent, uniform animal local law that had the same rules for all household pets.
“Whether you have a cat, dog, miniature pig or rabbit, they should not roam unsupervised in public areas and in neighbours’ backyards,” she said.
“We will be seeking additional external legal advice to see if we can introduce containment provisions as part of our local law and ask the community if they support this.”
Council’s decision followed previous amendments to the Animal Local Law being disallowed by the Joint Standing Committee on Delegated Legislation.
Ms Xamon urged the State Government to seek external advice on the intent of the Cat Act 2011, following the upcoming election.
“The Act’s intention was to allow local governments to determine their own cat laws within their boundaries,” she said.
“Unfortunately, many councils who have tried to introduce containment regulations have not been successful.
“We will continue to advocate the new Government to support local councils and provide solutions to this longstanding issue.”
Vincent’s position is aligned with a recent decision by the WA Local Government Association on cat containment.
WALGA is advocating the State Government to make changes to the Cat Act 2011 to permit local laws to confine cats to their owner’s residence and away from other properties and prohibit them from going to ecologically sensitive areas.
The association also wants cats to be effectively controlled in public places.
For more information, visit the cat provisions webpage.
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