New cat containment coming to the Shire of Alpine.

Yes, one is on the way. The council adopted its Domestic Animal Management Plan 2026-2029 at its June 2026 meeting, and that plan brings in a 24-hour cat curfew under Section 25 of the Domestic Animals Act 1994. The council says the curfew comes into effect on 1 July 2027, which gives owners a 12-month lead-in to prepare, with the council running education and support on containment and enclosure options in the meantime. Once it applies, your cat must stay within your property boundaries at all times, day and night, and it's an offence for a cat to be found wandering away from home. Cats can still spend time outdoors inside your boundary, and a fully enclosed cat run is one of the ways the council points owners to for doing that safely. Getting one built before the start date takes the pressure off.

Yes. Under the Domestic Animals Act, cats and dogs that live in the shire must be registered with the council once they reach three months of age. Registration runs for a year and falls due on 10 April, so you renew it annually. The council sends out renewal notices before the due date.

Your cat has to be microchipped before you can register it, and the microchip number goes to the council so a lost cat can be traced back to you. Desexing isn't spelled out as compulsory in the local rules, but the council charges lower registration fees for desexed cats and pensioners, and runs discounted desexing through its 'desex your pet month'. Desexing also supports the curfew's aim of cutting down unwanted litters, so it's well worth doing. If you're unsure what applies to your cat, check with the council.

Under the Community Local Law you can keep up to two cats (or two dogs) at a home in a residential area without needing a permit. If you'd like to keep more than that, you need to apply to the council for a permit first. The council looks at things like animal housing, noise and cleanliness when it considers those applications.

You don't need an animal permit just to build a cat run for your own cats, as long as you're within the two-cat limit. The council actually points cat owners towards building enclosures as a practical way to meet the curfew and stop cats trespassing. A larger or taller structure can still trigger a building or planning permit, so it's worth checking with the council before you start on anything sizeable.

A modest cat enclosure usually sits under the threshold where a building permit kicks in. As a general Victorian guide, small structures under around 10 square metres and 3 metres high are often exempt, but that can shift with your setback from boundaries or any planning overlays on your block. We build to your site and keep enclosures neat and within limits, and if there's any doubt we'll help you check with the council first.

A cat found away from home can be picked up and impounded by the council. If it's registered and microchipped, the council can identify you quickly and get your cat back to you, usually once any applicable fees are paid. Once the curfew starts in 2027, a wandering cat can also put you in breach of the confinement order, which is another good reason to keep your cat contained. Keeping your cat on the property in a secure enclosure avoids the stress and cost of an impound altogether.

Yes, though if you rent you'll want your landlord's okay first, especially for anything fixed to the building. Plenty of our enclosures are free-standing or designed to come apart, which suits rentals and smaller spaces like courtyards and balconies. That way you can get ready for the shire's cat curfew and give your cat safe time outdoors. If you're not sure what your lease or body corporate allows, it's worth a quick check before we start.

A fully enclosed catio keeps your cat safely on your property, which is exactly what containment rules ask for, while still giving them fresh air and the sounds and smells of outside. We build a range of escape-proof enclosures, from a discreet patio catio to a side run or netting over the whole backyard, so there's an option to suit your home. Build a quote to get started.

Yes, we build custom catios right across greater Melbourne, including the Shire of Alpine. If you're not sure you're in range, get in touch and we'll let you know.

Always confirm the current rules with the council directly via the Shire of Alpine website (opens in a new tab). The guide above is research we've collated to help you get started, not legal advice, see the note at the foot of this page.