The cat and catio rules for the Shire of Moira.

At the moment Moira doesn't have a shire-wide cat curfew, so there's no set hours you're legally required to keep your cat inside or confined. That said, the usual rules under the Domestic Animals Act still apply, so your cat shouldn't be wandering onto other people's places or causing a nuisance. A fully enclosed cat run keeps your cat on your own property day and night, which sidesteps any trespass or nuisance trouble and keeps them safe from roads and local wildlife. Rules can change, so it's worth a quick check with the council before you rely on there being no curfew.

Yes. Under Victorian law your cat needs to be registered with Moira Shire once it's over three months old. Registration runs on an annual cycle and renewals fall due each year around 10 April. You can register and renew through the council, and they'll send a reminder when it's time.

Your cat has to be microchipped before it can be registered, so the chip comes first. Desexing isn't forced on every cat, but desexed cats attract a lower registration fee, and pensioners or concession card holders also pay less. Fees are set fresh each year, so check the council's current fee list for the exact amounts.

Under Moira's local law you can keep up to two cats at a property without needing a permit, whether that's a residential or commercial block, or a rural property under eight hectares. If you want more than that, you'll need to apply for an excess animal permit from the council. It's a good idea to confirm the current limit with the council before taking on another cat.

The cat run itself doesn't need an animal permit, it's just part of your yard. Whether you need a building permit comes down to the size, height and how it's built. A small, freestanding, lightweight enclosure is often exempt, but a larger or more solid structure can tip over the line, so it's best to run your plans past the council's building team first.

As a general guide in Victoria, a freestanding lightweight structure up to about 10 square metres and no more than 3 metres high is usually exempt from a building permit, but sit it close to a boundary and a lower roof height limit kicks in. Overlays like flood or bushfire, which do apply in parts of Moira along the Murray, can change what's allowed too. We build to keep enclosures within the exempt range where we can, and we'll check the specifics for your block with the council if there's any doubt.

Even without a curfew, a cat that repeatedly wanders onto a neighbour's property can be seized and impounded, and the council can issue fines to the owner. Moira hires out cat traps to residents dealing with nuisance cats, so a roaming cat can end up trapped and picked up. A registered, microchipped cat is much easier to identify and return to you, and a secure cat enclosure means it never gets the chance to wander in the first place.

Yes, you can. If you're renting, get the owner or agent's okay first, and for a unit or apartment check with the owners corporation, since many enclosures are freestanding or portable and don't damage the building. We can design a cat run to suit a courtyard, balcony or small yard. Registration still applies wherever you live, so keep your cat registered with the council either way.

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 Moira. 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 Moira 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.