24/7 cat containment in the City of Knox.

Yes. Knox brought in a 24-hour cat curfew on 10 April 2022, which means your cat has to be kept on your property at all times, day and night. You can still take your cat out on a harness and lead or in a carrier. A fully enclosed cat run is the easy way to give your cat safe outdoor time while keeping it on the property, exactly as the containment rule asks.

Yes. Under the Domestic Animals Act 1994 every cat over 3 months of age must be registered with the council, and registration is renewed each year by 10 April. Your cat also has to be microchipped before it is registered. You can register or renew through the Knox website.

Yes to both. Knox requires cats to be desexed before they can be registered (it has had compulsory cat desexing since 2011), and every cat must be microchipped. The only exception to desexing is a genuine vet medical exemption. Desexed cats also pay a lower registration fee.

You can keep up to 2 cats at a normal residential property without needing a permit. If you want more than that, you have to apply to the council for an additional animal permit, which involves a check of how the animals will be housed. It is worth confirming the current details with the council before you go over the limit.

Usually not. Knox says a portable cat enclosure or run, or a freestanding backyard enclosure under 10 square metres in floor area and less than 2.4 metres high, does not need a building permit. A permanent enclosure that is attached to your house, like a roofed structure off a wall, can need a building permit. When in doubt, draw up a quick plan and check with the council first.

For a freestanding backyard cat run, Knox points to a rough guide of under 10 square metres and less than 2.4 metres high before a building permit comes into play. Setbacks from boundaries and any planning overlays can also matter, especially for larger or attached builds. We keep our enclosures within the no-permit range where we can, and we will check the specifics with the council for your block.

Because of the 24-hour containment rule, a cat off its property can be picked up and a fine can apply to the owner. If your cat is impounded you may have to pay release and daily holding costs to get it back. Keeping your cat contained with a secure enclosure or cat-proof yard avoids the stress and the cost, so please check the current penalties with the council.

You can, but get your landlord or owners corporation to sign off first, since it is their property or common area. A freestanding or portable cat run is a great fit for renters because it does not need to be fixed to the building and can come with you when you move. For apartments or units, a smaller balcony-style enclosure can keep your cat safe and still meet the containment rule.

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 City of Knox. 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 City of Knox 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.