Keeping cats contained in the City of Melton.

Melton doesn't run a set-hours cat curfew, but you still can't let your cat roam. Under the council's Local Law your property has to be secured so your animals can't escape, and the council states that cats must be confined to the property, so in practice your cat needs to stay home day and night. Cats are also banned completely in the Eynesbury township to protect local wildlife. A fully enclosed cat run is the simplest way to meet this, since it keeps your cat on your property around the clock without shutting it inside.

Yes. Any cat over three months old must be microchipped and registered with Melton, and it's a legal requirement under the Domestic Animals Act 1994. Registration runs to 10 April each year and has to be renewed before it expires or penalties can apply. Fees are set each year, with a lower rate for desexed cats and for eligible pension concession cardholders, so check the council's registration page for the current amounts.

Your cat has to be microchipped before you can register it. In Melton a cat also has to be desexed before the council will register or renew it, apart from a few set exemptions such as cats registered before December 2011, registered breeders and cats with a vet's exemption. Desexed cats and concession cardholders pay a reduced registration fee, and you'll need to show proof of desexing to get the cheaper rate.

On a standard suburban block, up to 4,000 square metres, you can keep up to two cats without a permit. Larger properties can keep more, and to go over the limit you'll need an animal permit from the council, which involves an application, an inspection and a fee. It's worth sorting the permit before you take on any extra cats.

The cat run itself doesn't need an animal permit. A building permit is a separate matter and can be triggered by the enclosure's size, height or how close it sits to a boundary, so small, low, freestanding runs often don't need one while larger structures might. It's best to check with Melton's building team, or your building surveyor, before you start.

There can be. Melton's Local Law sets out where an animal housing structure can sit, generally back from the property frontage and set off from your boundaries, though a cat enclosure is treated more leniently on how close it can be to the nearest home. Building rules on height and setback, and any planning overlay on your block, can also apply. We design our enclosures to sit within these limits and we're happy to help you confirm the details with the council before we build.

A cat found off its property can be picked up and taken to the pound, and you'll usually pay release and daily holding fees to get it back. A registered, microchipped cat is much quicker to reunite with its owner. Neighbours are also allowed to report a cat that's trespassing on their place, so keeping your cat contained saves everyone the hassle.

Yes, but get written approval from your landlord or owners corporation first, since you're adding or attaching a structure. For rentals we can build freestanding or easily removable enclosures, and for balconies or windows there are tidy options that don't need permanent fixings. Just check what your lease or body corporate allows before we start.

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 Melton. 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 Melton 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.