Cat Laws
What is the Cat Act, and what does it mean for me?
The Cat Act was passed in December 2011. This law was implemented in two phases, giving cat owners in WA enough time to follow. The first phase came into effect on 1 November 2012; and the second phase on 1 November 2013.
The Cat Act requires all domestic cats six months and older to be:
- Sterilised;
- Microchipped;
- Wearing an identifying tag in a public place; and
- Registered with the local council it is kept in.
Cat owners found not to be compliant with these requirements may face fines of up to $5,000.
How can Cat Haven help?
Cat Haven endeavours to provide cat owners in WA with the services that will help them comply with the new law. We can sometimes offer special prices for concession card holders - please contact our reception on 9442 3600 you have any questions.
Questions?
Please call us on (08) 9442 3600 for information on services such as sterilisation or microchipping. Should you require information regarding the cat laws, you can contact the Department of Local Government on (08) 6552 1500.
Cat Haven occasionally offers discounted sterilisation prices - please contact our vet clinic if you have any queries.
Why do I need to sterilise my cat?
The most obvious reason for sterilising cats is that it eliminates unwanted pregnancies. Cat Haven receives thousands of homeless kittens every year, simply because owners have not sterilised their cats.
A female can come on heat as early as four months of age, so it is imperative that you get your cat sterilised as early as possible. Female cats can have multiple litters of kittens every year.
Additionally, from 1 November 2013 sterilisation and microchipping of cats six months and older is compulsory.
Contrary to some myths, it is not necessarily good for cats to reproduce, or to remain unsterilised.
- Unsterilised females have a much greater risk of life-threatening uterine infections as well as uterine, ovarian and mammary cancer.
- Unsterilised males can become aggressive towards their owners and will get into fights with other males as they search for females. These fights expose them to serious infectious diseases and abscesses, which will ultimately result in higher vet bills and a shorter lifespan.
- Both unsterilised male and female cats have a tendency to spray, wander off your property and are more likely to get lost or hit by a car.
Why do I need to microchip my cat?
Microchipping is a simple and painless procedure where a small electronic chip is placed under your cat's skin in the shoulder area. This microchip would then be registered to your own contact details.
Should your cat be lost or separated from you, this chip makes it quick and easy to return them safely to you. Cat Haven receives calls every day about cats who were not microchipped and have been lost. With thousands of cats coming to our shelter each year, and our team working hard to care for hundreds of cats on site every day of the year, we cannot easily track down each lost cat.
If your cat isn't microchipped, there is a strong possibility that it will be rehomed. We understand how difficult this can be, and we would much rather reunite you with your beloved pet.
Microchipping also reduces the amount of time your cat may have to spend in a pound or shelter; after scanning the microchip, any vet, council or animal shelter can contact you quickly. Cat Haven strongly recommends microchipping your cat!