Night curfew rules across the Shire of Moorabool.

Yes. Since 1 July 2021 Moorabool has had a cat curfew, so cats must be kept contained on the owner's property from 6pm to 7am the next day, or from 8:30pm to 7am during daylight saving. It's a night-time rule rather than a full 24-hour one, brought in mainly to protect native wildlife. A fully enclosed cat run makes it easy to meet the curfew, because your cat can be outside and still stay safely on your property day and night.

Yes. Under the Domestic Animals Act 1994 every cat over three months old must be registered with the council. You register through Moorabool and renewals fall due on 10 April each year, with the registration period running from 10 April to 9 April. If you get a new cat you register it straight away and pay a pro-rata amount for the rest of the year.

Your cat must be microchipped before the council will register it, so that one is a firm requirement. Desexing isn't forced on every cat, but desexed cats attract a lower registration fee and the council notes it reduces roaming and behaviour problems. Concession card holders also pay a reduced fee. Fees are set each year, so check the council's fees page for the current amounts.

Under Council's Community Local Law, the most animals you can keep without a permit depends on the size of your land. If you want to keep more than that limit you apply for an 'additional animals' permit through the council. Because the number varies with your block, it's worth checking with the council for the figure that applies to your property.

The cat run itself doesn't need an animal permit. What can apply is a building or planning permit, and that depends on the size, height and where the structure sits on your block. The council actually points cat owners towards building a secure enclosure to help meet the curfew, so it's a supported way to keep your cat contained. If you're unsure, a quick call to the council's building team will confirm whether your plan needs a permit.

As a general Victorian guide, a freestanding, lightweight structure under about 10 square metres of floor area and up to 3 metres high can often be built without a building permit, provided it meets the boundary setback rules. Getting closer to a boundary or going taller can change that, and a heritage or environmental overlay on your land can add its own conditions. We design each cat enclosure to suit your yard, and we'll flag anything that looks like it needs council sign-off before we build.

Under the Domestic Animals Act cats aren't allowed to trespass on other people's property, and a cat out during curfew hours is breaking the rule. The council hires out humane cat traps from its Ballan and Darley offices for residents dealing with a nuisance cat. A cat that's picked up can be impounded, and registration and impound fees apply before it's released, so a registered, microchipped cat is far easier to get home. Keeping your cat in an enclosure is the surest way to avoid the whole situation.

You can, you just need the right sign-off first. If you rent, get your landlord or agent's written okay, and we can build a freestanding or removable enclosure that doesn't alter the property permanently. In an apartment or unit with shared walls or a body corporate, check their rules before committing to a design. The council's cat curfew and registration rules apply the same whether you own or rent, so a catio is a tidy way for renters to keep a cat contained.

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 Moorabool. 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 Moorabool 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.