It would cost Halls Head resident Roz D’Raine $400 to register her four cats for life. Despite this, she says she supports the new legislation because it will help to protect wildlife.
Camera IconIt would cost Halls Head resident Roz D’Raine $400 to register her four cats for life. Despite this, she says she supports the new legislation because it will help to protect wildlife. Credit: Supplied/Jon Hewson

Cat act changes coming

Vanessa Schmitt, Mandurah Coastal TimesMandurah Coastal Times

As part of the new legislation, cats will need to be micro-chipped, sterilised and registered (unless exempt).

Ranger Services co-ordinator Ray Errington said based on the number of dogs registered in the City of Mandurah, there could be as many as 15,000 cats in the region.

Council and Falcon e-Library administration staff are preparing for an influx of people coming in to register their cats.

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The new legislation comes into effect on November 1 and council staff hope to be able to take registrations in mid-October. A final date has not been set.

Cat owners are encouraged to get their cats sterilised and micro-chipped, which are prerequisites for registration, with proof required upon registration.

A cat management facility is being prepared on Park Road, adjacent to the dog pound.

The purpose of the Cat Act is to provide for the control and management of cats, and to promote and encourage responsible cat ownership. There will be provisions for the seizure, impounding and disposal of cats.

Cat regulation infringements could result in a $200 fine or a $5000 court-imposed fine.

Mandurah City Council will review the options and implications of introducing local laws that prohibit cats in certain locations ahead of the 2014/15 budget. Subject to consultation, the review will identify locations where prohibitions would have the most effective environmental outcomes.