Night curfew rules across the Shire of Glenelg.

Yes. The Shire of Glenelg has a cat curfew that runs from 7pm to 7am, so your cat has to be securely confined to your property overnight. The council doesn't require cats to be contained around the clock, but it does actively encourage keeping them home more of the time. A fully enclosed cat run is the easy way to meet the curfew, because your cat stays safely on your property day and night without you having to watch the clock.

Yes. All cats must be registered with the council once they reach three months old, and they need to wear their registration tag whenever they're off your property. Registrations run out on 9 April and have to be renewed each year by 10 April, and the council posts renewal notices out in March. You can register in person or download the application form from the council website.

Your cat must be microchipped before you can register it, so that step comes first. Desexing isn't forced on every owner, but the council strongly encourages it and desexed cats attract a lower registration fee. Council has also partnered with the RSPCA on low-cost desexing days in Portland in the past. It's worth checking the current fees with the council so you know exactly what applies to your cat.

As a general rule you can keep up to two cats at a property without extra paperwork. If you want more than that you'll need an Excess Animal Permit from the council, which is applied for and renewed each year. Rural properties outside the town areas can have different limits, so it's best to confirm the number for your address with the council's Local Laws team before you take on more cats.

You don't need any animal permit to build a cat enclosure, and the Shire of Glenelg actually promotes cat enclosures and cat fencing as a good way to keep cats safe and stop them wandering. A separate building permit can come into play for larger or taller structures, or anything fixed to the house. If your run is small and freestanding it usually won't need one, but check with the council's building and planning team if you're unsure.

As a rough guide across Victoria, a small freestanding structure under about 10 square metres and under 3 metres high often won't need a building permit, but that isn't a green light on its own. Setbacks from boundaries, your property's zoning and any overlays can all change what's allowed. We design each cat run to sit sensibly on your block, and we'll flag anything worth confirming with the council before we start.

If your cat is out during the 7pm to 7am curfew, or roaming onto neighbouring properties, it can be picked up and you may face an infringement notice. Residents can also hire a cat trap from the council to deal with an uninvited cat, and trapped cats can end up at the animal shelter. A registered, microchipped cat is far easier to identify and get back home, which is another reason to keep the tag and chip up to date. A secure enclosure keeps all of this from happening in the first place.

Yes, though it's worth a quick conversation first. If you rent, get your landlord or agent's okay in writing, and if you're in an apartment or unit check whether the owners corporation has any rules about changes to the building or common areas. We build freestanding and removable designs that suit renters and smaller spaces, so your cat can still enjoy safe outdoor time without permanent changes to the property.

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 Glenelg. 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 Glenelg 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.