Cat & catio rules across the Shire of Northern Grampians.

Northern Grampians doesn't have a general cat curfew across the shire, so there's no set time your cat legally has to be indoors in most towns like Stawell and St Arnaud. The big exception is Halls Gap, which is a cat-free zone where you can't keep a cat at all, brought in to protect the wildlife around the Grampians National Park. Even without a curfew, a fully enclosed cat run is the easy way to keep your cat on your own property and out of trouble with the neighbours and native animals. It's worth checking the council's own pages now and then, as councils do review this from time to time.

Yes. Under Victorian law your cat has to be registered with the council once it's three months old, and registration is renewed every year by 10 April. Your cat needs to be microchipped before you can register it. Cat fees for 2025-26 sit somewhere between about $36 and $103 depending on your cat's circumstances, so check with the council for the figure that applies to you.

Microchipping is required before you can register a cat with Northern Grampians, so that one's a must. Desexing isn't compulsory across the shire, but desexed cats and concession card holders pay a lower registration fee, and desexing is strongly encouraged right across Victoria. Contact the council if you're not sure which fee category your cat falls into.

In township or residential areas you can keep up to two cats without a permit, and on rural or farming land it's up to four. If you'd like more than that, you'll need to apply to the council for a permit to keep animals, which runs on the same April cycle as registration. Halls Gap is the exception again, where no cats are allowed at all.

The enclosure itself doesn't need an animal permit, so you're free to build a cat run for your own cats. Depending on how big and tall it is and where it sits on your block, you might need a building permit, and a planning permit can be triggered if your property is covered by an overlay. A quick call to the council's building team will tell you whether your plans need a permit before you start.

Yes, the same building rules that apply to sheds and similar small structures apply to a cat enclosure, so its height and how close it sits to your boundaries both matter. Small, low structures are often exempt from a building permit, but the exact size and height limits are worth confirming with the council rather than guessing. We build to suit your block and can keep the design within the permit-free range where you'd prefer, so let the council know your measurements or ask us to help.

A cat found roaming can be picked up by the council and taken to the pound, and you'll usually pay a release fee to get it back, plus any registration you owe. If your cat is microchipped and registered, the council can get it home to you a lot faster. Keeping your cat contained in a cat run avoids the stress and cost of it ever going missing. In Halls Gap, where cats aren't permitted, any cat found may be reported to the shire or the national park.

You can, though if you're renting you'll need your landlord's written permission first, since it's their property. Freestanding or lightweight enclosures suit rentals well because they can be built to come away cleanly when you move. For a unit or apartment, a smaller window or balcony style enclosure often works better than a full backyard run, and we can tailor something to the space you've got.

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 Northern Grampians. 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 Northern Grampians 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.