Responsible Cat Ownership

All cats must be sterilised, microchipped and registered at six (6) months of age. More information on how to register your cat can be found here.

Under the City of Armadale Cat Local Law a maximum of four (4) cats are allowed to be kept at any premises. If you wish to keep more than four (4) cats you must apply for a permit. More information on applying for a permit can be found here.

Note – The City of Armadale Cat Local Law came into effect on 5 February 2025, if an owner had five (5) or more cats registered to their premise prior to these laws coming into effect then they do not require a permit. However, they cannot replace any cat that dies or is permanently removed from the property.

Did you know that cats allowed to roam free, have a life expectancy of much less than half that of indoor cats? Cats may seem independent and responsible, but they need the same level of care and attentiveness as any pet. We encourage you to keep your cat contained within your property boundaries, not only to reduce hunting but also to help protect your cat. Keeping your cat contained will help ensure harmony for everyone – you, your cat, neighbours and local wildlife.

Benefits of keeping cats contained
By keeping your cat safe at home you:

• Reduce the risk of them becoming lost or injured (eg hit by a car, attacked by a dog or snake or eating toxic plants or poisonous substances)
• Reduce the risk of them getting into cat fights and having cat fight-related injuries and catching infectious diseases such as FIV (Feline Immunodeficiency Virus)
• Give them a better chance to enjoy a longer and healthier life. This also saves you money on vet bills.
• Minimise the risk they will harm or kill other animals, including native wildlife
• Enjoy more quality time together
• Avoid problems with your neighbours
• Reduce the risk that they will stray and be impounded by the City 

Check out the RSPCA’s Safe Happy Cats webpage for more information on the benefits of keeping cats contained at home, the transition process and tips on creating cat friendly indoor and outdoor spaces.

The City of Armadale Cat Local Law prohibits cats from all of bushland containing reserves managed and owned by the City. A full list of prohibited areas can be found below.

Where a cat is caught in a prohibited area, the cat may be impounded and the owner of the cat may be liable for an infringement of $200.

Cats are also not permitted to cause a nuisance in any public place or on private land without the occupiers consent. Please see nuisance cats for more information.