Cat ownership and catios in the Shire of Corangamite.

No. At the time of writing the Shire of Corangamite has not brought in a cat curfew or a containment local law, so there's no set of hours your cat legally has to be indoors. That said, the council's Domestic Animal Management Plan sets a clear objective of keeping cats contained to their owner's property to cut down on roaming and trespassing. A fully enclosed cat run is the easy way to meet that goal, since it lets your cat enjoy the fresh air while staying safely on your block day and night. Rules can change, so it's worth checking the council's pages for the latest.

Yes. Every cat over three months old must be registered with the council, even if it lives indoors. Registrations fall due for renewal on 10 April each year and run for the twelve months. Fees are set annually and you'll pay less for a desexed cat or with a concession, so check the current amounts on the council's pet registration page or give the shire a call.

Your cat must be microchipped before you can register it, as the council needs the chip in place first. Desexing isn't strictly mandatory for a pet cat, but desexed cats pay a lower registration fee and concession card holders get a discount on top. Corangamite has also run cat desexing voucher programs that cover desexing, microchipping and first-year registration for eligible concession holders, so it's worth asking the shire what's currently on offer.

The council's local law sets a limit on how many cats you can keep before you need a permit, and its General Local Law 2025 lifted that number for properties in town. We couldn't confirm the exact figure from the council's public pages, so check with the shire for the current limit that applies to your address. If you'd like to keep more than the limit, you can apply to the council for a permit to keep additional animals.

The cat enclosure itself doesn't need an animal permit from the council. What can come into play is a building permit, which depends on the size and height of the structure rather than the fact it's for a cat. As a rough guide a small, low enclosure usually sits under the threshold, but it's best to check with the council's building team before you start so you know where you stand.

In Victoria a freestanding enclosure is generally exempt from a building permit when it's under about 10 square metres in floor area and no more than around 3 metres high, though those figures are a guide rather than a guarantee. Setbacks from the boundary, plus any heritage or environmental overlay on your block, can change what's allowed. We design each cat run to sit within those limits where we can, and we'll always suggest you confirm the specifics with the council for your address.

A cat found roaming can be picked up and impounded, and getting it back usually means paying release and daily holding fees, with a fine possible if it isn't registered. The council also lends out humane cat traps free of charge, which residents use to catch wandering cats, so a roaming cat can easily end up trapped and handed in. If your cat is registered and microchipped, staff can identify it and get it home quickly, but keeping it contained on your property saves the worry and the cost.

Yes, you've just got a couple of extra people to keep onside. If you rent, get your landlord or agent's written okay first, and a freestanding cat enclosure that doesn't need fixing to the building is usually the easiest sell. In a unit with an owners corporation you'll likely need their sign-off for anything on shared or common areas. We can build to suit tight courtyards, balconies and small yards, so renting or apartment living needn't rule out a proper cat run.

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 Corangamite. 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 Corangamite 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.