The 24/7 cat rules across the Shire of Mount Alexander.

Yes. The council has adopted a 24-hour cat curfew across the shire, so your cat needs to be kept securely on your property day and night. It can only leave the property if it's properly restrained, such as on a harness and lead or in a secure carrier. A fully enclosed cat run does the job nicely, since it keeps your cat safely on your land around the clock while still giving it fresh air and room to roam. The council is rolling the curfew out with an education and transition period, so check its cat curfew page for the current start and enforcement dates.

Yes. Under Victorian law every cat over three months old has to be registered with the council, and Mount Alexander is no exception. Registration renews each year and is due by 10 April. Fees are set by the council annually, so check its register-your-pet page for the current amounts and how to pay.

Your cat needs to be microchipped before you can register it, and you'll provide the microchip number when you sign up. Desexing isn't compulsory across the board, but desexed cats attract a lower registration fee, so it pays off. The council also runs a fee reduction policy for pensioners and concession holders. Check with the council for the current requirements and any exemptions.

Mount Alexander's General Local Law sets a limit on how many cats you can keep at one property before you need a permit, and the exact number depends on your block. If you want to go over that limit you'll need to apply for a permit from the council. The council's keeping multiple animals page has the current numbers, so check there before you bring another cat home.

In most cases a cat enclosure doesn't need an animal permit, and a modest cat run often doesn't need a building permit either. Under the Victorian building rules a small, freestanding, lightweight structure is generally exempt, but its size, height, where it sits on your block and any heritage or planning overlay can change that. Given the goldfields heritage around Castlemaine and Maldon, it's worth a quick call to the council's building and planning team before you start.

As a general Victorian guide, a freestanding lightweight enclosure of around 10 square metres or less and no more than 3 metres high is usually exempt from a building permit, and if it sits within a metre of a boundary the height limit drops. Heritage overlays, which cover parts of the shire, can add their own conditions. We build to those thresholds by default, but it's smart to confirm the specifics with the council for your address.

With the curfew in place, a cat found off its property can be picked up by the council, and the owner may face a fine or fees to get it back. Keeping your cat contained avoids the stress and cost, and it protects local wildlife along with your cat from cars, dogs and cat fights. A secure cat enclosure is the easy way to keep your cat home and out of trouble. Check the council's cat curfew page for how impounding and penalties work.

You can, though a couple of extra steps help. If you rent, get your landlord's okay first, and we can design a free-standing or removable cat run that won't damage the property and can come with you when you move. For units and smaller yards a window box, balcony enclosure or compact run works well. Either way it keeps your cat safely on the property in line with the curfew.

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 Mount Alexander. 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 Mount Alexander 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.