Cat rules and catios in the City of Moonee Valley.

Yes, the council supports a cat curfew, which means cats should be kept inside their own property between sunset and sunrise. It stops short of a mandatory 24/7 containment law, but the council strongly encourages keeping cats contained around the clock for their own safety and local wildlife. A fully enclosed cat run is the easy way to meet the curfew and still give your cat safe outdoor time, since it keeps them on your property day and night.

Yes. Under Victorian law and the council's rules, cats must be registered with Moonee Valley once they reach three months of age, and registration is renewed every year by 10 April. Your cat needs to be microchipped before you can register. First-time cat registration is around $20, with discounts for desexed cats and free first-time registration for eligible pensioners, but fees are set each year, so check with the council for the current amount.

Microchipping is required before you can register your cat with the council. Desexing isn't strictly mandatory, but desexed cats pay a lower registration fee, and the council offers free desexing to eligible Moonee Valley residents through partners such as Westside Community Desexing and The Corner Vet. Desexing also helps cut down on roaming and unwanted litters.

It depends on your block size. On properties under 150 square metres you can keep one cat, and on properties of 150 square metres and over you can keep two, without a permit. If you want more than that, you'll need to apply to the council for an Additional Animal Permit.

The cat run itself doesn't need an animal permit. A building or planning permit can come into play depending on the size and height of the structure, where it sits on your block, or whether your property has a planning overlay. As a rough guide a small, low enclosure usually sits under the threshold, but it's worth a quick check with the council's building team before you start.

There can be. Building rules across Victoria generally exempt small, low structures, with a common rule of thumb being under about 10 square metres and no more than 3 metres high, but boundary setbacks and any overlays on your property can change that. We design enclosures to sit comfortably within the usual limits, and if yours is larger we can help you check with the council first.

A wandering cat can be picked up by the council or a resident and impounded, and you may face fees to get it back, especially if it isn't registered. Moonee Valley also lends out cat cages free of charge to help catch stray or roaming cats. Keeping your cat registered, microchipped and contained is the best way to make sure it comes home quickly if it ever slips out.

Yes, though the approach changes a little. If you rent, you'll want your landlord's okay before building anything fixed, so a freestanding or removable enclosure is often the way to go. For apartments and balconies we can build an enclosed run that keeps your cat safe without permanent changes, and it's worth checking your owners corporation rules first.

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 Moonee Valley. 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 Moonee Valley 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.