Night curfew rules across the Shire of Mitchell.

Yes. Mitchell brought in an overnight cat curfew back in 2019, so every cat has to be kept on its owner's property between sunset and sunrise. It isn't about locking your cat inside the house, you just have to keep it within your boundary at night, which you can do with a fully enclosed cat run, a cat-proof fence or by keeping it indoors. If your cat is caught wandering off the property during curfew hours you can be fined.

Yes. Cats over three months old must be registered with the council, and registration is renewed every year by 10 April. New cats coming into the shire need to be microchipped and registered first. You can register or renew online, or contact the council's animal management team if you're not sure where your cat stands.

Every cat being registered with the council for the first time has to be microchipped beforehand, so your details are on file if it ever goes missing. Desexing isn't compulsory for every cat, but desexed cats pay a lower registration fee and it's strongly encouraged. The council also runs a discounted desexing scheme to help with the cost, so it's worth asking about that.

On a residential block under 0.4 hectares you can keep up to two cats without any extra paperwork. On rural land over 0.4 hectares the limit is three, and on farming zoned land it's four. If you want more than that you need to apply for an extra animals permit, which involves getting support forms from your neighbours and may include a property inspection. Approved permits are lifetime permits, though you'll need a new one if the number or type of animals changes or you move.

The cat run itself doesn't need an animal permit, and plenty of backyard enclosures don't need a building permit either. Under the general Victorian rules a freestanding enclosure that's under about 10 square metres in floor area and under 3 metres high usually sits outside building permit territory. That said, size, height, boundary setbacks and any planning overlays on your block can change things, so it's worth a quick check with the council before you build.

There can be. The state guidance is that a freestanding enclosure within a metre of a boundary needs to stay under 2.4 metres high, while set further back you've generally got a bit more room up to around 3 metres. Attached, roofed structures like a verandah-style enclosure are more likely to need a building permit. We build to suit your fence lines and setbacks, and we'll flag anything that might need council sign-off.

If your cat is picked up it can be taken to the council pound, and you'll usually pay release and daily holding fees to get it back, which is where microchipping and registration really pay off. If it's off your property during the overnight curfew you can also be fined. A secure cat enclosure is the simplest way to avoid the whole situation.

Often yes, but it comes down to permission and structure. If you rent, get your landlord or agent's okay first, and we can design a freestanding or non-permanent enclosure that doesn't damage the property. For a unit or apartment a balcony or window enclosure can work well, though you may also need to check body corporate or owners corporation rules. Tell us your situation and we'll suggest something that fits.

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 Mitchell. 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 Mitchell 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.