Cat Management

In 1996, the Alice Springs Town Council introduced By-Laws to deal with nuisance cats and voluntary cat registration. These By-laws were updated in 2008.

Under the By-Laws:

• Cats over the age of 6 months are required to be registered.
• The owners of registered cats will be notified if their cats have been impounded.
• On-the-spot fines may be issued to owners of nuisance cats. A cat is a nuisance if it "behaves repeatedly in a manner contrary to the general interest of the community or of an individual”.
• Nuisance cats may be trapped and impounded.
• Unregistered or unclaimed cats may be sold or euthanased after 48 hours at the Animal Pound.
• Keeping two or more cats without a license is an offence.
• Unlicensed breeding of cats is an offence.
• Unplanned litters may be dropped off at the Pound without penalty.

Cat Registration

• Is compulsory for all cats over the age of 6 months.
• Includes the cat being identified by a microchip implant (for more information see under Dog Management).
• Is for de-sexed cats only unless the owner is a registered breeder.

Keeping three or more cats

• It is an offence to keep three or more cats, or to allow a cat to breed, without a cat breeders license.
• The conditions for the issue of a multiple cat license are as follows:
  1. Keeping 3 or more cats shall not be contrary to the general interest of the neighbouring community;
  2. The cats shall be housed in a manner that prevents them from wandering away from the owner’s premises;
  3. The area where cats are to be housed shall be of sufficient size for the number of cats to be kept

Cat Breeding

• It is an offence to allow a cat to breed unless you hold a cat breeder’s license.
• The conditions for the issue of a cat breeder’s license are the same as 1. 2. and 3. above, together with the following:
  1. The facilities shall be adequate for the breeding of cats including facilities for the disposal of waste and the provision of shade, water and exercise;
  2. The license holder shall be registered as a cat breeder with a body recognised by the Council.

Should I de-sex my cat?

De-sexing your cat creates a number of benefits for you as an owner, your neighbourhood and the environment generally and demonstrates responsible cat ownership.

De-sexed cats generally make better pets. They are less likely to spray, fight, wander and get into mischief. This helps them live longer and be less of a threat to native fauna.

Is my cat a nuisance?

Uncontrolled cats can become a serious problem. Some of the complaints include:

• Trespassing;
• Fighting with other cats;
• Digging, defecating, urinating on neighbour's’ buildings and cars;
• Stalking and preying on native fauna.

You can prevent your cat becoming a nuisance to the neighbours by providing it with an enclosure in your yard.

Confinement is not cruel if adequate food, shelter and water are provided. Cats will enjoy their enclosure if scratching, climbing, exercise and sunbathing areas are accessible to them.

The outdoor enclosure can be connected to the house via a cat flap so the cat has the freedom to come and go as it pleases.

You need to be aware of the health risks you take if you permit your cat to wander. Cats can spread diseases to other cats as well as to people.

Toxoplasmosis is a serious disease that is spread through contact with cat faeces or saliva. It can kill both unborn and young children. This means children are put at risk when licked by a cat or when straying cats use sandpits as a toilet.

Feline AIDS is another disease that wandering cats may pick up and communicate, and from which they can die. Cats that are prevented from wandering are at less risk of catching or communicating these diseases. Fewer interactions with other cats means less spread of disease. Of course, wandering cats get killed or injured on the roads or by other animals.