The full-time cat rules for the City of Whittlesea.

Yes. Whittlesea brought in a 24-hour cat confinement rule on 1 August 2023, so your cat has to stay on your property around the clock, not just overnight. The council's own words are that cats are not allowed off your property and must be secured to it at all times. You can still take your cat out on a securely fitted harness under effective control, or carry it in a cat carrier. A fully enclosed cat run is one of the easiest ways to meet this, because it lets your cat enjoy the outdoors while staying safely on your block.

Yes. Under Victorian law any cat aged three months or older must be registered with the council, and Whittlesea renewals fall due each year on 10 April. Register online or by form through the council. It is worth keeping your cat's details up to date so officers can get them home quickly if they ever get out.

Yes to both. Microchipping is required before you register, and Whittlesea requires all cats to be desexed before registration unless a vet exemption applies. This has been the rule for newly registered cats since 1 August 2023. Your vet can sort the microchip and desexing and give you the proof the council needs.

You can keep up to two cats at a home without a permit. If you want three or more, you need to apply to the council for an excess animals and livestock permit first. The same two-animal cap applies to dogs. A roomy enclosure can be a good way to house more than one cat comfortably once you have the right permit.

You do not need an animal permit to build a cat enclosure or catio. In fact the council actively encourages outdoor cat spaces and even shares DIY enclosure plans. A building or planning permit is a separate question that depends on the structure itself, so it is worth a quick check with the council before a large build.

The council does not publish a specific catio size or height rule, but the usual building and planning rules still apply to any structure. Things like how big it is, how tall it is, how close it sits to the fence, and any planning overlays on your land can decide whether a permit is needed. Most small, freestanding cat runs are fine, but if yours is large or right on the boundary, check with the council's building or planning team first. We build to suit your yard and can help you keep it neat and compliant.

If your cat is picked up off your property, animal management officers will try to reunite it with you by checking its registration and microchip. If they cannot identify the owner, the cat is taken to the Epping Animal Welfare Facility. Because this is a 24-hour containment area, penalties can apply for a cat found off the property, so keeping your cat safely contained saves a lot of stress and cost. A secure cat enclosure keeps them home without you having to think about it.

Often yes. The council specifically promotes removable cat enclosures that suit renters and can be taken with you when you move, so a portable or freestanding cat run is a great fit for a rental or a smaller space. You will still want your landlord or body corporate to sign off on anything fixed to the building or the fence. Talk to us about a design that packs down or stands on its own so you are not tied to one place.

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 Whittlesea. 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 Whittlesea 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.