The 24/7 cat rules across the Shire of Bass Coast.

Yes. Since 1 July 2023 Bass Coast has had a 24/7 cat containment order, which means your cat has to stay on your property at all times, day and night. The council says you can meet this by keeping your cat indoors, with cat-proof boundary fencing, or with a secure outdoor enclosure. A fully enclosed cat run is a tidy way to give your cat fresh air and space while keeping it safely on the property, exactly as the containment order asks.

Yes. Cats in Victoria must be registered with the council once they reach three months of age, and Bass Coast is no different. Renewal notices are sent out in March and are due by 10 April each year, and the council issues lifetime tags so you are not chasing a new tag every year. Owning an unregistered cat can attract a fine, so it pays to keep it current.

Microchipping is required for any cat being registered with a Victorian council for the first time, and this applies from three months of age. Bass Coast also has a compulsory cat desexing order, so the council will not register a new cat unless it is desexed or falls under an exemption in the Domestic Animals Act 1994. Desexed cats pay a lower registration fee, and pensioner concession holders pay less again.

On a residential block under 0.5 hectares you can keep up to two cats, along with two dogs. On a property between 0.5 and 2 hectares that rises to four cats and three dogs. If you want to keep more than that, you will need to apply to the council for an excess animal permit.

The cat run itself does not need an animal permit. What can apply is a building permit, which is generally triggered by the size, height or siting of a structure rather than the fact that it is for a cat. A common rule of thumb is that a small structure under about 10 square metres and 3 metres high will not need a building permit, but it is worth confirming with the council's building team first, especially given the heritage and environmental overlays around Phillip Island and the coast.

Height and boundary setbacks are the sort of thing that can tip a structure into needing a building or planning permit. Bass Coast has a number of planning overlays, including heritage and environmental ones, particularly around Phillip Island and the foreshore, which can affect what you build and where. The safest move is to check your property with the council's planning and building team so you know your setbacks and height limits before we build, and we design enclosures to sit within those limits wherever we can.

If your cat is found roaming off your property, Council Community Safety Officers can pick it up and issue the owner an infringement. On top of the fine you would pay a pound release fee plus a daily holding cost to get your cat back, so it adds up quickly. Keeping your cat safely contained at home avoids all of that and keeps it out of harm's way from cars, dogs and other roaming cats. Check the current penalty amounts with the council.

You can, though a couple of extra steps apply. If you rent, get your landlord or agent to sign off before building anything fixed, and a freestanding or lightweight enclosure that does not alter the property is usually the easiest option. In an apartment or unit, a balcony or window enclosure can work well, but check your owners corporation rules first. Either way the containment order still applies, so some form of enclosure or indoor setup is the way to keep a cat here.

A fully enclosed catio keeps your cat safely on your property, which is exactly what containment rules ask for, while still giving them fresh air and the sounds and smells of outside. We build a range of escape-proof enclosures, from a discreet patio catio to a side run or netting over the whole backyard, so there's an option to suit your home. Build a quote to get started.

Yes, we build custom catios right across greater Melbourne, including the Shire of Bass Coast. If you're not sure you're in range, get in touch and we'll let you know.

Always confirm the current rules with the council directly via the Shire of Bass Coast website (opens in a new tab). The guide above is research we've collated to help you get started, not legal advice, see the note at the foot of this page.