Cats

Kiama Council supports responsible cat ownership to help protect native wildlife and reduce nuisance impacts in the community.

Below are essential tips for caring for your cat, information on reducing the threat cats pose to wildlife, and a summary of Council’s role.

Essential tips for cat owners

Key advice to help you care for your cat responsibly while protecting the local environment and keeping your pet safe.

Learn more about caring for cats

  1. Ensure your cat is microchipped and registered
  2. Make sure your cat wears a collar and tag with your contacts details
  3. Have your cat desexed
  4. Keep your cat indoors at night
  5. Do not allow your cat to roam freely
  6. Prevent your cat from entering bushland or harming native wildlife
  7. Maintain your cat’s health and wellbeing through regular care

 

 

Reducing the threat to wildlife

Learn how to prevent your cat from harming native animals and how to safely confine them – especially overnight.

Learn more about how you can help

Feral and roaming domestic cats pose a serious risk to native animals, especially during dawn and dusk when wildlife is most active. To help:

  • Confine your cat at night

  • Keep cats separate from feral or stray cats to prevent unwanted breeding and disease

  • Avoid feeding your cat outdoors or before you confine them

  • Use a designated indoor room, garden shed or garage for nighttime confinement

Local Land Services may conduct cat-trapping campaigns in bushland where wildlife is under threat.

Clearly identifying your cat (with a collar and microchip) ensures it can be returned if accidentally trapped.

 

 

Council’s role in managing cats

Understand what Kiama Council can and can’t do when it comes to cats in the community, including roaming and feral animals. 

Learn about Council's role

Please be aware of Council's responsibilities and limitations:

  • Council Rangers operate under the Companion Animals Act 1998, and as such do not have powers to collect and detain cats that roam onto private property

  • Under the Companion Animals Act 1998, cats are currently permitted to roam, and this does not constitute an offence

  • If you find a sick or injured cat, however, please take it to a local vet – they can scan for a microchip and contact the owner

  • Residents on rural properties may use humane cat traps for feral cats only. Any captured cat should be taken to a vet for assessment to see if it is microchipped

 

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