Night-time cat rules for the Shire of Southern Grampians.

Yes. Under the council's Community Local Law adopted in late 2022, there's a cat curfew that runs from sunset to sunrise, so your cat has to be confined to your property overnight. It's there to keep cats safe and to protect local wildlife, and a fine can apply if a cat is out at large or trapped during those hours. A fully enclosed cat run is the easy way to meet the curfew, because your cat stays safely on your property day and night without you having to watch the clock.

Yes. Under the Domestic Animals Act 1994, every cat over three months old must be registered with the council. Registration is renewed each year and is due by 10 April, with renewal notices going out beforehand. Fees are set each year and concessions are available, so check the current amount with the council when you register.

Your cat has to be microchipped before it can be registered for the first time, which is a statewide requirement, so that step comes first. Desexing isn't compulsory for every cat, but desexed cats attract a lower registration fee and the council encourages it. If you're unsure what applies to your cat, the council's Local Laws team can talk you through it.

The council can require a permit to keep animals once you go over a set number of cats at one address. The exact limit wasn't published on the pages we checked, so it's best to confirm the current number with the council before you take on extra cats. A permit to keep animals is separate from registering each cat individually.

You don't need an animal permit to build a cat run itself. A separate building permit can come into play depending on the size and height of the structure and where it sits on your block, or if it's fixed to the house. A small freestanding enclosure often won't need one, but it's worth a quick check with the council's building and planning team before you start.

As a rough guide across Victoria, a small freestanding structure under about 10 square metres and under 3 metres high often won't need a building permit, but that isn't a green light on its own. Setbacks from boundaries, your property's zoning and any overlays such as heritage or bushfire can all change what's allowed. We design each cat enclosure to sit sensibly on your block, and we'll flag anything worth confirming with the council before we start.

If your cat is out during the sunset-to-sunrise curfew, or roaming onto other properties, it can be picked up and you may face a fine. The council also runs cat trapping in some areas, so a wandering cat can end up trapped and impounded. A registered, microchipped cat is far easier to identify and get home, and a secure cat enclosure keeps the whole situation from happening in the first place.

Yes, though it's worth a quick conversation first. If you rent, get your landlord or agent's okay in writing, and if you're in a unit or apartment check whether the owners corporation has any rules about changes to the building or common areas. We build freestanding and removable designs that suit renters and smaller spaces, so your cat can still enjoy safe outdoor time without permanent changes to the property.

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 Southern 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 Southern 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.