Prepare your cat for the new cat curfew

As part of our Domestic Animal Management Plan (DAMP), we are introducing new laws for cat ownership.

From 1 April 2027, Merri bek City Council is introducing a night time cat curfew.

• This means all cats must stay on their owner’s property between 7pm and 7am every day.
• Newly registered cats must follow a 24 hour curfew. 

This page explains why the curfew is important, how to keep your cat safe, and what responsible cat ownership looks like in Merri bek. 

About the cat curfew (cats first registered before 1 April 2027)

The new law means that if you have a pet cat that is currently registered, it needs to remain on your property during the hours of 7.00pm to 7.00am, 7 days per week.

If you register your cat for the first time before 1 April 2027, the 7:00pm to 7:00am curfew will also apply to you.

Responsible pet ownership involves ensuring that animals do not adversely affect the health, safety or enjoyment of others or the environment.

Your cat will still need to be registered and desexed.

About cat containment for all new cats registered after 1 April 2027 

The new law means that if you have a pet cat that was not registered for the first time before 1 April 2027, it needs to be contained on your property at all times, 24 hours, 7 days per week.

This could be inside the home, within an enclosed outdoor space like a catio or within the fence on your property. Cats may leave properties for a walk on a leash or in a carrier.

Your cat will still need to be registered and desexed.

Why responsible cat ownership matters

Cats are loved family members, and responsible ownership helps keep them healthy, happy and safe. It also protects neighbours, wildlife and the environment. 

Responsible cat ownership includes: 

• Keeping your cat safe at home
• Desexing your cat 

• Registering and microchipping your cat 

• Preventing nuisance behaviour 

• Protecting wildlife 

• Making sure your cat does not disturb neighbours 

How to keep your cat safe at home 

Cats can live happy, enriched lives indoors or in safe outdoor spaces. 

Easy ways to help your cat adjust 

• Bring your cat indoors before dark 

• Feed their evening meal inside 

• Create a cosy sleeping area 

• Provide toys, scratching posts and climbing shelves 

• Use puzzle feeders or treat toys 

• Play with your cat before bedtime 

• Keep litter trays clean and easy to reach 

 Safe outdoor options 

• Cat‑proof fencing 

• Netting or angled fence toppers 

• Cat runs 

• Catios 

• Screened balconies 

• Supervised outdoor time 

Resources to keep your cat safe at home

• Happy and safe cats – RSPCA
• Keeping your cat safe at home – Animal Welfare Victoria
• Cat health and welfare - Animal Welfare Victoria

Questions and answers about our cat curfew

• Why have cat curfews been introduced?

  Cat curfews have been introduced in more than half of the 79 councils in Victoria, with 24-hour cat curfews in 10 of those councils. The ACT Government has also successfully introduced a 24-hour cat curfew for all cats born after 1 July 2022, with a grandfather clause for older cats.  

• How does a night time cat curfew help our wildlife?

  Cats are naturally most active at night, especially around dusk and dawn. These are also the busiest times for many native wildlife species.

  Merri‑bek is home to more than 200 significant plant and animal species, and protecting them is a key priority for Council. You can read more on this from the Biodiversity Council Australia.

  One of the main reasons for introducing a cat curfew is to reduce the impact roaming cats have on wildlife.

  Keeping cats at home overnight also benefits the cats themselves and the wider community.  

• What are the benefits to the cat, of keeping it contained at night?

  The RSPCA recommends keeping cats contained to their property as the best way to keep them safe. Containment can increase a cat’s life expectancy by up to 10 years. 

  The benefits of keeping cats contained at night include: 

  • Cats that stay indoors at night generally live much longer than cats that roam. 

  • Around 80% of accidents involving cats happen during night‑time hours. 

  • Roaming cats are more likely to be injured, attacked by other animals, or exposed to diseases such as Feline AIDS (FIV), which is spread through fighting and is ultimately fatal. 

  • Containment reduces the risk of injury and prevents cats from fighting or wandering onto neighbouring properties.
  • Roaming cats can cause neighbourhood issues — such as disturbing dogs, fighting with other cats, urinating or defecating in gardens, and breeding.   
• How does containing my cat benefit my neighbourhood?

  Roaming cats can cause problems such as:

  • Fighting
  • Spraying
  • Digging in gardens
  • Disturbing dogs
  • Trespassing

  Keeping your cat contained helps reduce neighbourhood disputes and supports community harmony.

• Can my cat still go outside?

  Yes. During curfew hours (7pm–7am), your cat must stay within your property boundary. You can still give your cat outdoor time by supervising them or using cat‑proof fencing, netting, or an enclosed space such as a cat run or catio. Some owners also use sheds or keep their cats indoors during curfew hours. 

  There is no daytime curfew for cats currently registered with Council, but Council recommends keeping cats on your property during the day as well — for their safety, to protect wildlife, and to prevent nuisance behaviour.   

• Do I still need to register my cat if it stays on my property?

  Yes. All cats and dogs over 3 months old must be registered with Council under Victorian law (Domestic Animals Act 1994). 

  Registration fees support a wide range of animal‑related services, including: 

  • 24/7 emergency animal collection 

  • Pound services and an animal adoption centre 

  • Subsidised desexing and discounted microchipping programs
  • • Management of dangerous and restricted breed dogs 
      • State Government education programs and research funded through the levy included in registration fees 
      • One free pet registration per household for pensioners 
      • Data collection that helps Council plan future animal‑related services 
      • Animal Management staff who respond to complaints, patrol parks, and manage stray or injured animals 
      • Community education through publications, social media and school visits 
      • Domestic animal business audits
      • Emergency boarding for pets belonging to victims of domestic violence  
• What should I do if I see a cat out during curfew hours?

  Council Officers do not respond to reports of roaming cats during curfew hours and do not capture cats seen in public at night. 

  If a cat is entering your property without permission: 

  1. Check whether it belongs to a neighbour. 
  2. Start with a polite conversation about the impacts of their cat roaming and their responsibilities as an owner. 

  If the issue continues: 

  • You may borrow a cat trap from an organisation that hires them. 
  • If you know where the cat lives, you can contact Council on 9240 1111 during business hours. A service request will be lodged with the Animal Management Team.   
• I’m not sure how to get my cat home by 7pm — what should I do?

  Even though the curfew only applies overnight, Council recommends keeping cats within your property at all times. 

  If your cat is usually outside during curfew hours, try: 

  • Feeding them earlier in the evening and keeping them indoors afterwards 

  • Supervising outdoor time 

  • Providing toys, treats and enrichment to keep them occupied 

  Using cat enclosures, netting or cat runs to keep them safely contained   

• Is there a fine if my cat is found outside during curfew hours?

  If your cat is roaming and is not identifiable or registered, it will be taken to the wat djerring Animal Facility (20 Companion Place, Epping). Release and registration fees will apply. 

  Penalties may also apply for breaching Council’s Cat Curfew Order.   

• How will Council enforce the cat curfew and containment rules?

  Council officers will respond to community complaints about roaming or nuisance cats. The focus will be on education, advice and support to help owners keep cats safely contained. If needed, Council may take enforcement action, including fines.  

• Was the community consulted about the cat containment decision?

  Yes. Community consultation was undertaken in 2025 as part of developing the development and consultation on the Domestic Animal Management Plan 2025–2029. Trespassing cats were one of the most frequently raised issues. You can view the feedback from the community consultation.

  You can view a copy of the Council Order regarding cat confinement (PDF 150Kb) to read the full details of the decision and how it will be applied in Merri-bek.
  
  You can read the media release here: Merri-bek City Council adopts new animal management plan and cat curfew  

• I'm moving to Merri-bek before 1 April 2027. What rule applies to my cat?

  Any cat who is registered with Merri-bek City Council before 1 April 2027, even if the cat has not been registered with another Victorian council, the 7:00pm to 7:00am curfew will apply to you. 

• I'm moving to Merri-bek after 1 April 2027. What rule applies to my cat?

  If a cat is registered with Merri-bek City Council after 1 April 2027, even if the cat has previously been registered with another Victorian council, the 24 hour a day containment will apply to that cat. 

  This could be inside the home, within an enclosed outdoor space like a catio or within the fence on your property. Cats may leave properties for a walk on a leash or in a carrier.

Council order for cat confinement

On 12 November 2025, Merri-bek City Council adopted its new Domestic Animal Management Plan 2025-2029, including a cat curfew that will come into effect from 1 April 2027. 

The plan sets out how Council manages cats and dogs in our neighbourhoods. It includes actions that promote responsible pet ownership, support the welfare of cats and dogs and aim to reduce nuisance behaviours. 

Cat curfews aim to improve a cat’s health and lifespan and reduce negative effects on wildlife and the environment. Curfews can also help address community concerns about cat noise, cats digging in gardens and trespassing.

Merri-bek's cat curfew will be applied in two ways to help cats and cat owners transition to this method of cat containment.

• About the cat curfew (cats first registered before 1 April 2027)
• About cat containment for all new cats registered after 1 April 2027

View a copy of the Council Order regarding cat confinement (PDF 150Kb)