Cat rules and catios in the Shire of Golden Plains.

Golden Plains does not have a formal cat curfew, so there are no set hours when your cat has to be shut inside. The council does ask owners to keep cats indoors at night where they can, and to contain a cat on their own property if it is bothering the neighbours. It goes a step further and rewards containment: a cat kept in an approved enclosure qualifies for a reduced registration fee. A fully enclosed cat run is the easy way to keep your cat on your block around the clock while it still gets fresh air and space.

Yes. Under Victorian law and the council's rules, cats over three months of age must be registered with Golden Plains Shire. Registration runs on an annual cycle and is due for renewal on 10 April each year, no matter what date you first signed up. Your cat also needs to wear its registration tag, and if you have a cat that has never been registered you can call the council and they will help you sort it out.

Microchipping is required, and your cat's microchip number goes onto the council record when you register. Desexing is not strictly compulsory, but a desexed cat pays a much lower registration fee, so most owners do it. Golden Plains also runs a subsidised desexing program through the National Desexing Network for pensioners, healthcare card holders, people affected by family violence and residents on low incomes, so it is worth asking the council if you qualify.

In most areas the shire allows up to two cats per property. If you want to keep more than two, you need to apply to the council for an excess animal permit under its local law. It is a good idea to check with the council before taking on extra cats, as conditions can apply.

You do not need a special animal permit just to build a cat run. Where a permit can come into play is the building side: a larger or taller structure may need a building permit, and parts of the shire carry planning overlays that can affect what you build. As a rough guide, small, low structures are often exempt, but it is worth a quick check with the council's building team before you start. We are happy to build to whatever your block allows.

Standard building setback and height rules can apply, especially for anything attached to the house or close to a boundary. Victoria's general guide is that a small outbuilding under about 10 square metres and no more than 3 metres high is often exempt from a building permit, but that is not guaranteed and depends on your site. Because Golden Plains takes in a lot of rural and environmental land with overlays, it is best to confirm the specifics with the council. We design each enclosure to suit your space and those limits.

If a registered cat is found roaming, the council's officers will generally try to contact the owner rather than impound it on the spot, and a registered pet gets a first free ride home. If they cannot identify or reach an owner, the cat can be taken to a local animal shelter and held before it has a chance of being rehomed, with fees to collect it. Keeping your cat registered, microchipped and contained is the surest way to avoid all of that.

You can, though a couple of extra checks help. If you rent, you will usually need the property owner's okay, and a freestanding or easily removable enclosure is often the simplest option. For a unit or apartment, owners corporation approval may be needed. We can design something that suits your situation, and it is worth confirming with the council whether any building permit applies.

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 Golden Plains. 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 Golden Plains 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.