As of 1st of December 2009 City of Albany residents will be required to register their cat.

The City of Albany "Keeping and Welfare of Cats Local Law" is being introduced to promote responsible cat ownership, limit the damage to and the loss of wildlife caused by cats and to promote the welfare and safety of domestic cats.

• To promote responsible cat ownership.
• To promote the welfare and safety of domestic cats
• A requirement for registration of cats.
• A requirement for cats to be identified with a microchip.
• Limitations on the number of cats per household to two, with permits required for larger numbers.

All cats (over the age of six months) must now be registered with the City of Albany. All registrations will be due on 1 December 2009 and are issued for either one or three years. Registration is compulsory for cat owners and their cats must be micro-chipped. Pension card holders may register their cat(s) for half of the normal fee. Registration helps to recover your cat if it is lost and encourages responsible cat ownership.

FEES                                           1 Year         3 Years

Sterilised and Micro-chipped         $10             $18

Pensioners                                     $5               $9

Unsterilised                                    $30            $75

All cats must now be identified by a microchip. Any veterinarian can insert a tiny microchip under your cats skin that will provide your relevant contract details when scanned. You must ensure that your cat is microchipped before applying to register your cat, as you will need to include the microchip number on the registration form.

Identification of your cat will ensure that your cat can be easily returned to you should it become lost or injured.

Identification also enables Council's Rangers to easily determine if a cat is a pet, a stray or a ferel animal.

The new Local Law restricts the number of cats that may be kept at a particular property. Cat owners with more than two cats will be able to apply for a permit to keep more than two cats.

However, without the consent of the City of Albany, the permit holder will not be able to substitute or replace any cat that dies or is permenantly removed from the premises without registering the replacement.

The Local Law for the Keeping and Welfare of Cats DOES NOT:

• Allow pets to be trapped on Council reserves or private property.
• Allow rangers to impound or destroy unwanted cats.
• Allow rangers to take cats from private propery or households.
• Declare prohibited areas where cats are not allowed

Any person who fails to comply with the Local Law for the Keeping and Welfare of Cats commits and offence and that person could recieve an on the spot fine or be summoned to appear in the Albany Magistrate's Court.

Where a cat is kept in poor conditions, the owner may be reported to the appropriate authority and action taken to protect the welfare of the cat.  

Any questions on the Local Law and what it means for you as a cat owner may be directed to Ranger Services.

Phone: 98 419 349

Fax: 98 414 099

E-mail