Maribyrnong council is seeking feedback from the wider community on whether it should implement a cat curfew in the municipality.
Whether you own a cat, a dog or even a bird, council is asking residents to provide their feedback on whether it should consider joining the 50 per cent of Victorian councils which already have a curfew in place.
“Council understands anyone with a feline friend considers them a family member and wants to do the right thing to keep them safe and happy.
“The problem is, while cats are social animals, they also like to hunt.”
Council said research showed that when cats are allowed to roam, they are more at risk of injury, catching diseases, going missing or attacking wildlife.
Acknowledging that the majority of cat owners in the municipality keep their cats close, mayor Cuc Lam said officers are still being called out hundreds of times a year when cats create issues, especially for neighbours.
“With that in mind, we are seeking to understand our community’s appetite for a cat curfew, and what that might look like,” she said.
“If you agree cats shouldn’t be allowed to roam, would you support a 24-7 curfew or just overnight – or are there other things, including community education programs, you think we should consider to support better cat management within our city.”
Council said in 2023 there were over 3000 registered cats in Maribyrnong.
And in the same year, council’s animal management team responded to 435 call outs related to cat issues and picked up 399 stray cats and kittens.
“While dogs are required to be confined to an owner’s property in line with Victorian legislation, responsibility for determining what any confinement of cats might look like, sits with local councils,” council said.
Council said feedback from this conversation will help inform a proposal on cat management in Maribyrnong, including whether the current approach – to encourage but not require cats to be kept within an owner’s property – remains relevant.
Feedback is required by midnight, Sunday, June 30.
Details: yourcityyourvoice.com.au/cat-curfew
