The full-time cat rules for the Shire of Loddon.

Loddon hasn't declared a formal night-time cat curfew, and the council says it has no containment orders in place at the moment. Even so, its animal management plan states that owners are expected to keep their cats confined to their property at all times, both for the cat's safety and to protect local wildlife. The council is also weighing up a cat containment options paper, so the rules could tighten down the track. A fully enclosed cat run is the easy way to meet the expectation now, giving your cat time outside while keeping it on your own block day and night.

Yes. Under Victorian law a cat over three months old must be registered with the council, and registration is renewed every year, with renewals falling due on 10 April. You register through Loddon Shire, and the council now issues a lifetime tag rather than a new one each year. Fees are set by the council annually, so check the council's animal registration page for the current amounts.

Your cat has to be microchipped before it can be registered, which is a state requirement. Desexing isn't forced on every cat by a council order, but desexed cats pay a much lower registration fee, so most owners get it done. The council has also flagged that it wants to explore low-cost desexing and microchipping programs. Check with the council for the current requirements and fees.

Loddon doesn't publish a simple cat limit that we could confirm. Its Community Local Law 2022 means you may need a permit to keep animals once you go over the usual number kept at a property, and that permit is assessed on things like your property's size and location. If you're planning to keep several cats, it's worth a quick call to the council's local laws team to check whether a permit applies.

You don't need an animal permit just to build a cat run, since it's a structure rather than extra animals. A building permit is a separate question that depends on the enclosure's size, height and where it sits on your block. Small, low enclosures are often exempt, but bigger or taller builds can trip the threshold, so it's worth checking with the council's building team before you start.

As a general guide in Victoria, a small freestanding structure of roughly under 10 square metres and no more than about 3 metres high can often go up without a building permit, provided it meets setback and boundary rules. Parts of Loddon carry planning overlays, such as heritage, flood or environment, which can add requirements. The safest move is to confirm your block's specifics with the council, and we build to the site so an enclosure can stay within the common exemption limits where that suits you.

If your cat is found off your property it can be picked up and impounded, and you'd pay release fees to get it back, plus a possible fine if it isn't registered. A registered, microchipped cat is far quicker and easier to reunite with its owner. Since Loddon expects cats to be kept on their own property, a roaming cat can also lead to nuisance complaints from neighbours. Keeping your cat in a secure enclosure avoids the whole situation.

You can, but check first. If you rent, get the property owner's or agent's written okay before you build, and a freestanding or easily removable enclosure is usually the simplest to approve. In a unit or apartment with owners corporation rules, you'll likely need their sign-off as well. We build cat enclosures to suit balconies, courtyards and small yards, including designs that don't damage the building and can come with you if you move.

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 Loddon. 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 Loddon 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.