Cat containment rules for the City of Greater Bendigo.

Yes. Greater Bendigo brought in 24-hour cat containment from 1 July 2024, which replaced the old sunset-to-sunrise curfew. Your cat now has to stay securely on your property at all times, so it can't roam the neighbourhood day or night. A fully enclosed cat run is one of the easiest ways to meet this, because it keeps your cat safely on the property while still letting it enjoy fresh air and sunshine.

Yes. Cats over 3 months old must be registered with the council and microchipped. Registration runs on a yearly cycle and is due for renewal by 10 April each year, and kittens under 12 months are free for that first registration period. If your cat isn't registered you can be fined, so it's worth sorting out early.

Your cat has to be microchipped before you can register it, and its chip details should be kept up to date. Desexing isn't compulsory, but desexed cats attract a lower registration fee, and concession card holders pay less again. Local programs like the Bendigo Community Cat Program and discount desexing partners can help with the cost, so it's worth checking with the council or BARC.

Under the council's Keeping of Animals Local Law you can keep up to 3 cats at a residential property without needing a permit. If you'd like to keep more than that, you can apply to the council for a permit, which comes with conditions around suitable housing and fencing. It's a good idea to confirm the current details with the council before you go over the limit.

In most cases a building permit isn't needed for a cat enclosure. The council notes that portable and lightweight steel mesh enclosures don't need one, and neither do freestanding cat runs under 10 sqm in floor area and under 3m high. A permit can be triggered for larger structures or permanent additions attached to the house, like a verandah conversion, so check with the council if your build is bigger than that. There's no separate animal permit just for having a cat run.

As a general guide, a freestanding cat enclosure under 10 sqm and under 3m high usually won't need a building permit, but if it's within 1m of a boundary the council says to keep it under 2.4m high. Planning overlays, like heritage or bushfire, can change what applies on a particular block. We can design a cat run to sit comfortably within these rules, and it's always smart to confirm the specifics with the council for your address.

A cat found off your property can be picked up, and you may be fined for it roaming or for being unregistered. Where possible the council returns caught cats straight to their owner, which is much easier when the cat is registered and microchipped. If the owner can't be reached, the cat is taken to the Bendigo Animal Relief Centre (BARC) until it's collected. Keeping your cat contained avoids all of this.

Yes, though if you rent you'll want your landlord's okay first, and in an apartment or unit you may also need approval from the owners corporation. Freestanding and portable enclosures that don't need a building permit are a great fit for renters, since they can come with you when you move. Either way, a cat run is a simple way to meet Greater Bendigo's 24/7 containment rule while giving your cat safe outdoor time.

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 City of Greater Bendigo. 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 City of Greater Bendigo 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.