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The City of Melville in Perth has enacted a contentious new regulation concerning cat ownership, sparking a debate about government intervention in personal pet ownership. Under this new law, cat owners are now subject to a cap on the number of pets they can have at home, alongside a potential $300 fine for non-compliance. Some locals have voiced their worries, labeling the move as an overstep by the authorities.
This regulation, effective from Saturday, prohibits cats from entering 64 designated reserves and parks within the city. These areas, including well-known spots like Tompkins Park, Goolugatup Heathcote Reserve, Alfred Cove Nature Reserve, and Centennial Park, are preserved for their significant natural habitats, which include both flora and fauna. If a cat is found wandering into these restricted zones, its owner will be penalized with a $300 fine.
Moreover, the new rules impose a limit of two cats per household. However, this restriction does not extend to foster cats or those that were already registered with the city before the law took effect. Residents who wish to keep more than the allowed number of cats can apply for special permission. The council will evaluate these applications by considering factors such as whether the cats are kept indoors or allowed to roam outside.
There is now a two-cat limit per household, which does not apply to foster cats or cats registered with the city before the law commenced.
Residents can apply for approval to keep more than two cats under certain conditions, with the council taking into consideration whether it is an indoor or outdoor cat.
Pre-existing rules state that all felines must be sterilised, microchipped and registered at six months of age and must wear their collar with their registration tag when they are in a public place.
The City of Melville sits on the shore of the Swan River, about 8km from the CBD, and captures more than 200 parks and reserves, 778 hectares of open public space and 295 hectares of bushland.
The council has heard concerns about cats hunting, getting into fights and receiving injuries, harming and killing other animals, including native wildlife, and causing a nuisance to neighbours.
Mayor Katy Mair hopes the new rules will protect native wildlife from the negative effects of outdoor cats and promote “responsible” ownership.
“The City of Melville recognises that cats are much-loved companions for many of our residents, enhancing their health and wellbeing,” she said.
“I believe the law provides a good balance that takes into account our feline friends and their owners, alongside our responsibility as guardians to protect significant natural places and wildlife for future generations to enjoy.”
The new rules come after two rounds of community consultation and feedback during public engagement of the city’s cat management plan.
Almost half, or 45.7 per cent, of the 87 residents who provided submissions for the consultation opposed the cat law, but council insisted they only objected because they felt the changes needed to be tougher by imposing mandatory cat containment, a cat curfew or a requirement that keeps cats under control in public.
About 39.7 per cent supported the law, and 14.4 per cent neither supported nor opposed the law.
The council approved the cat law in July, noting that it does not have the power under previous legislation to implement tougher restrictions that the community was asking for, and the law came into effect on Saturday.
Some residents have raised concerns about the law, taking to social media to complain about the restrictions.
”Disappointing to see you’re limiting the number of pets someone can have, especially with so many wasting away in shelters,” one person said.
“Why only two cats when you have a fully cat-proofed yard? That’s ridiculous. It should not matter how many cats you have on your property,” another said.
”Prejudiced towards cats. I’ve seen dogs attack birds too. But, let’s blame cats,” a third said.
“The overreach is getting out of control. Stay out of people’s lives,” a fourth said.