Keeping cats contained in the City of Greater Shepparton.

Yes. Greater Shepparton runs a 24-hour cat curfew, so it is an offence for your cat to be outside your premises at any time of the day or night. This has been the rule since a council order back in 1996 and it applies right across the municipality. A fully enclosed cat run is a simple way to give your cat fresh air and outdoor time while keeping it on your property and within the rules.

Yes. Every cat over three months of age has to be registered with the council, and registration is renewed by 10 April each year. Fees are set yearly, with lower fees for desexed cats and concession-card holders, and kittens under six months old can be registered for free. You will need proof of microchipping when you first register.

Yes. The council requires all cats to be both desexed and microchipped before they can be registered, unless your cat is exempt under the Domestic Animals Act 1994. Your vet can sort out both. If cost is a worry, the council's PAWS Program helps eligible concession-card holders with desexing, microchipping and registration for a small fee, so it is worth asking the council about.

Under the council's Community Living Local Law you can keep up to two cats at a home in a residential or commercial area, including flats and units, without a permit. On farming land under two hectares the limit is four. If you want to keep more than that you will need to apply to the council for a Local Laws permit before you take on the extra cats.

The cat run itself does not need an animal permit, and the council actually suggests enclosures as a good way to meet the curfew. A building permit is a separate question and depends on the size and design of the structure. As a general guide in Victoria, a freestanding lightweight enclosure of around 10 square metres or less and no more than 3 metres high is usually exempt, but it is worth checking with the council's building team before you start.

There can be. Victorian building rules tie into how close the structure sits to a boundary, and something built within a metre of a side or rear fence generally needs to stay under about 2.4 metres high. Setbacks, easements and any planning overlays on your block can also come into play. We build to suit your yard, and if your plans get near those thresholds we'll flag it so you can confirm with the council.

If your cat is caught off your property it can be seized and taken to the Shepparton Animal Shelter, and you may be issued an infringement notice. Penalties run to one penalty unit for a first offence and more for repeat offences, on top of any release fees to get your cat back. Neighbours are also allowed to trap a cat that keeps trespassing and hand it in. Keeping your cat contained in a cat run avoids the whole headache.

Usually yes. If you rent you will need your landlord's permission first, and in a unit or apartment with an owners corporation you should get their sign-off too. Freestanding, window and balcony enclosures all work well in smaller spaces and can often be built without touching the structure itself. Just remember the two-cat limit still applies at flats and units unless you hold a permit.

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 Shepparton. 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 Shepparton 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.