Cat & catio rules across the Shire of Campaspe.

As things stand in 2026, Campaspe has no cat curfew or containment law, so there's no legal requirement to keep your cat indoors or on your property at set hours. That said, the council adopted a Domestic Animal Management Plan that flags cat containment as a real option and has started community consultation on it, so this could change. Either way, a fully enclosed cat run keeps your cat safely on your own block around the clock and puts you ahead of any future rule.

Yes. Any cat over three months old must be registered with the council, and registration is renewed every year, with renewals falling due on 10 April. Fees are set by the council each year, so check the council's animals and pets page for the current amounts.

Your cat has to be microchipped before you can register it with the council. Desexing isn't compulsory for every cat, but desexed cats attract a lower registration fee, so it usually works out cheaper as well as better for your cat. Check with the council for the current requirements and fees.

Campaspe's general local law sets a limit on the number of cats you can keep at a property in residential areas. If you want to keep more than the limit, you'll need a permit from the council to keep the extra animals. The exact number wasn't listed in the guides we found, so check the current figure with the council's local laws team.

The enclosure itself doesn't need an animal permit. A building permit is a separate question that depends on the structure's size, height and where it sits on your block. Small, low enclosures are often exempt, but it's worth a quick call to the council's building team before you start.

Under the Victorian building rules, a small structure of roughly under 10 square metres and about 3 metres high can often go up without a building permit, as long as it meets setback and boundary requirements and you're not in a bushfire-prone or heritage overlay area. Larger or taller enclosures, or ones built close to a boundary, are more likely to need a permit. Confirm the specifics for your property with the council.

A wandering or unregistered cat can be picked up and taken to the council's pound or shelter, and you may have to pay a release fee, plus a fine if it isn't registered. A registered, microchipped cat is far quicker to reunite with its owner. Keeping your cat in an enclosure or indoors avoids the whole situation.

You can, but you'll need the property owner's permission first, since any fixed structure is a change to their place. Freestanding or window-mounted enclosures that don't need major fixing are a good fit for rentals, and for an apartment a balcony or window run is usually the way to go. We can build to suit the space and keep things easy to remove if you move on.

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 Campaspe. 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 Campaspe 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.