Keeping cats and building catios in the Rural City of Ararat.

No. At the time of writing the Rural City of Ararat has not brought in a cat curfew or a containment local law, so there's no set of hours your cat legally has to be inside. That said, the council is actively urging owners to keep their cats contained to their property to protect native wildlife and reduce the number of strays ending up at the pound. A fully enclosed cat run is the easy way to follow that advice, since it lets your cat enjoy the fresh air while staying safely on your block day and night.

Yes. Every cat over three months old must be registered with the council and wear its registration tag, even if it lives indoors. Registrations fall due for renewal on 10 April each year. Fees are set annually and you'll pay less for a desexed cat or with a pensioner concession, so check the current amounts on the council's pet ownership page or give the Community Safety team a call.

Your cat must be microchipped before you can register it, as the two go hand in hand. Desexing isn't strictly mandatory in Ararat, but the council strongly recommends it and rewards it with a much lower registration fee. Beyond the discount, a desexed cat is less likely to roam, spray or add to unwanted litters, so it's well worth doing.

Under the council's Neighbourhood Amenity Local Law 2022 you can generally keep up to two cats at a residential property without needing a permit. If you'd like to keep more than that, you'll need to apply to the council for a permit to keep additional animals. It's worth confirming the current numbers with the Community Safety team before you commit.

The cat enclosure itself doesn't need an animal permit from the council. What can come into play is a building permit, which depends on the size and height of the structure rather than the fact it's for a cat. As a rough guide a small, low enclosure usually sits under the threshold, but it's best to check with the council's building team before you start so you know where you stand.

In Victoria a freestanding enclosure is generally exempt from a building permit when it's under about 10 square metres in floor area and no more than around 3 metres high, though those figures are a guide, not a guarantee. Setbacks from the boundary, plus any heritage or environmental overlay on your block, can change what's allowed. We design each cat run to sit within those limits where we can, and we'll always suggest you confirm the specifics with the council for your address.

A cat found roaming can be picked up and taken to the Ararat pound and shelter, which the council has said is already running above capacity. If your cat is registered and microchipped, staff can identify it and get it home to you quickly. Reclaiming an impounded cat usually means paying release and daily holding fees, so keeping it contained saves both the worry and the cost.

Yes, you've just got a couple of extra people to keep onside. If you rent, get your landlord or agent's written okay first, and a freestanding cat enclosure that doesn't need fixing to the building is usually the easiest sell. In a unit or apartment with an owners corporation you'll likely need their sign-off for anything on shared or common areas. We can build to suit tight courtyards, balconies and small yards, so renting or apartment living needn't rule out a proper cat run.

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 Rural City of Ararat. 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 Rural City of Ararat 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.