WA councils want to outlaw roaming cats. Here's what's stopping them
A new survey of local government areas has revealed that only three out of 26 councils have been successful in bringing in 'permanent containment' laws that would compel cat owners to keep their pets at home, on a leash or in a cat enclosure.
Seven councils have tried more than once but have been disallowed by a government committee that viewed the laws as in conflict with the state Cat Act.
Yet 78 per cent of council respondents told the survey they would add the permanent containment law if there was a clear pathway to implementation.
The survey, Taking the pulse on responsible cat ownership across WA local governments, was released today by the WA Feral Cat Working Group.
It demonstrated a strong desire by local government areas for help in getting effective cat control laws, according to Working Group executive leader Dr Bruce Webber.
'With so many local governments interested in implementing permanent containment, Western Australia could quickly go from national laggards to national leaders when it comes to responsible ownership for pet cats,' Webber said.
'Our voluntary survey was completed by 74 per cent of the 139 local governments, an unusually high rate of return suggesting keen interest in the topic.'
Many councils say they suffer from poor levels of responsible pet ownership, with 42 per cent reporting a low level of awareness among residents and low compliance with laws.
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Perth Now
4 days ago
- Perth Now
Survey shows local government support of cat containment
A new survey has shown local governments across WA are overwhelmingly in support of keeping one of our favourite pets at home as feral threats continues to terrorise nature. The WA Feral Cat Working Group has unveiled the findings of a new survey that show 78 per cent of local governments are interested in implementing permanent containment laws for pet cats. Despite overwhelming evidence Australia's more than 5.3 million pet cats are capable of unleashing unprecedented damage to the country's biodiversity, according to the working group WA has some of the most relaxed laws around responsible cat ownership. Despite a 2019 review from the State Government showing 73 per cent of respondents supported laws to prevent cats from roaming, which has likely only grown in the past six years, no such rules are in place. Working group executive Dr Bruce Webber said with such overwhelming support from local governments, WA could quickly go from national laggards to national leaders when it came to responsible ownership for pet cats. 'Our report highlights a long-standing challenge for local governments in Western Australia,' he said. 'Their communities are calling loudly for cat containment, and they are seeking to implement solutions, but are all too often having their efforts blocked.' Dr Webber said WA could not wait for yet another review of the Cat Act as any solution would take too long to deliver and while the WAFCWG supported a review, there was a need for immediate change to give local governments more power. A State Government spokesperson said the Cook Government was progressing with the initial scoping phase of its next statutory review of the Cat Act. 'The Cat Act already provides all Western Australian local governments with a range of powers to proactively manage cats within their district,' they said. 'This includes powers to make local laws to address cats including to designate certain areas, such as nature reserves and parks, as cat prohibited areas.' Cat Haven CEO Roz Robinson said she supported changing the laws as the shelter often took cats injured roaming coming into care. 'What is so frustrating for us is that the poor welfare outcomes from roaming could all be avoided with owners simply containing their cats to their properties,' she said. 'Whilst there will always be the need for people to re-home owned cats, we could literally halve our annual intake. 'Loving your cat isn't about letting it free roam, it is about keeping it as safe as possible, and the only way you can do this is to keep it safe at home contained where you know it is all the time.' Invasive Species Council CEO Jack Gough said for the sake of several native animals, cats could not be allowed to roam any longer. 'Roaming pet cats are sending our suburbs silent,' he said. 'Every year across Australia they kill more than 300 million native animals — wiping out birds, reptiles, frogs and small mammals. 'WA is lagging the nation when it comes to ensuring responsible pet ownership laws and local councils are crying out for the State Government to step up and empower them to protect wildlife.' The review came after the WAFCWG was approached by Local Government Minister Hannah Beazley in 2024 to look at how local governments were progressing best practice ownership of pet cats. The State Government spokesperson said Ms Beazley continued to engage with the WAFCWG and appreciated its input.
Sydney Morning Herald
15-07-2025
- Sydney Morning Herald
WA councils want to outlaw roaming cats. Here's what's stopping them
Stopping cats from roaming is a priority for Western Australia's local councils, but many say they need help in overcoming obstacles to enforce responsible cat ownership. A new survey of local government areas has revealed that only three out of 26 councils have been successful in bringing in 'permanent containment' laws that would compel cat owners to keep their pets at home, on a leash or in a cat enclosure. Seven councils have tried more than once but have been disallowed by a government committee that viewed the laws as in conflict with the state Cat Act. Yet 78 per cent of council respondents told the survey they would add the permanent containment law if there was a clear pathway to implementation. The survey, Taking the pulse on responsible cat ownership across WA local governments, was released today by the WA Feral Cat Working Group. It demonstrated a strong desire by local government areas for help in getting effective cat control laws, according to Working Group executive leader Dr Bruce Webber. 'With so many local governments interested in implementing permanent containment, Western Australia could quickly go from national laggards to national leaders when it comes to responsible ownership for pet cats,' Webber said. 'Our voluntary survey was completed by 74 per cent of the 139 local governments, an unusually high rate of return suggesting keen interest in the topic.' Many councils say they suffer from poor levels of responsible pet ownership, with 42 per cent reporting a low level of awareness among residents and low compliance with laws.
The Age
15-07-2025
- The Age
WA councils want to outlaw roaming cats. Here's what's stopping them
Stopping cats from roaming is a priority for Western Australia's local councils, but many say they need help in overcoming obstacles to enforce responsible cat ownership. A new survey of local government areas has revealed that only three out of 26 councils have been successful in bringing in 'permanent containment' laws that would compel cat owners to keep their pets at home, on a leash or in a cat enclosure. Seven councils have tried more than once but have been disallowed by a government committee that viewed the laws as in conflict with the state Cat Act. Yet 78 per cent of council respondents told the survey they would add the permanent containment law if there was a clear pathway to implementation. The survey, Taking the pulse on responsible cat ownership across WA local governments, was released today by the WA Feral Cat Working Group. It demonstrated a strong desire by local government areas for help in getting effective cat control laws, according to Working Group executive leader Dr Bruce Webber. 'With so many local governments interested in implementing permanent containment, Western Australia could quickly go from national laggards to national leaders when it comes to responsible ownership for pet cats,' Webber said. 'Our voluntary survey was completed by 74 per cent of the 139 local governments, an unusually high rate of return suggesting keen interest in the topic.' Many councils say they suffer from poor levels of responsible pet ownership, with 42 per cent reporting a low level of awareness among residents and low compliance with laws.
