Cat containment rules for the Shire of Surf Coast.

Yes. Surf Coast Shire has a 24-hour cat curfew that started on 30 September 2023, so cats must be confined to the owner's property around the clock, right across the shire, unless they're appropriately restrained. It replaced an older night-time curfew and was brought in largely to protect the area's native wildlife. A fully enclosed cat run is one of the easiest ways to meet the rule, because it keeps your cat safely on your property day and night while still giving it fresh air and outdoor time.

Yes. You need to register cats with the council once they're over three months old, and the registration is renewed every year, with renewals due on 10 April. Fees are set each year and there's a concession for pension card holders, so it's worth checking the council's current fees before you pay.

Your cat has to be microchipped before you can register it with the council. Desexing isn't compulsory, but desexed cats pay a lower registration fee, and you'll need to show a sterilisation certificate to get that rate. The desexed and undesexed amounts are set each year, so check the council's current fee list.

In residential areas you can keep up to two cats without needing a permit. If you'd like more than that, you can apply to the council for a permit to keep extra animals. Rural properties can be different, so if you're on a larger block it's worth checking with the council.

You don't need an animal permit just to build a cat run. A building or planning permit is a separate question and depends on the structure itself, its size and height, how close it sits to boundaries, and any overlays on your block. A lot of the Surf Coast is covered by environmental and coastal overlays, so it's worth a quick call to the council's building and planning team before you start.

There can be. As a rough guide in Victoria, a small, low enclosure often sits under the threshold where a building permit kicks in, but floor area, height and how close it is to a fence or boundary can all change that. Because Surf Coast blocks often carry overlays, the safest move is to confirm the current thresholds with the council before you build. Either way, we can design a run that works with your setback and height limits.

Because of the 24-hour curfew, a cat off your property and not restrained is breaking the rule, and the owner can be fined. The council can also seize cats that are at large, and a registered, microchipped cat is much easier to identify and return to you. The council even lends out cat cages free of charge for a couple of weeks if you're trying to catch a stray or your own escapee.

You can, but you'll usually need your landlord's or owners corporation's permission first, since it can mean fixing a structure to the property. Plenty of our cat enclosures are freestanding or made to come apart, which suits renters and smaller spaces. It's a great way to meet the shire's curfew without altering the building permanently, so have a chat with your property manager and we'll tailor something to fit.

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 Surf Coast. 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 Surf Coast 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.