Remember when cats were just…cats? Now they need paperwork and curfews

A picturesque border town famous for its dramatic volcanic scenery and serene lakes might soon become the centre of an unexpected showdown.

A proposal to limit the number of cats per household is ruffling feathers—and fur—among residents in Mount Gambier.

Now, the fate of beloved pets could hinge on a single council vote.


The City of Mount Gambier Council was set to vote on 16 July 2025 on a controversial new cat management by-law that could see residents restricted to just two cats per household.

The proposed cap would only apply to cats born after the law’s adoption, but other elements of the crackdown would affect all current pet owners.

If approved, the by-law would give the council power to introduce cat curfews, require confinement to private property, and roll out mandatory registration.


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Mount Gambier debates two-cat household limit. Image source: Pexels/Pixabay
Disclaimer: This is a stock image used for illustrative purposes only and does not depict the actual person, item, or event described.


It would also create a new ‘nuisance offence’, prohibiting cat owners from allowing their pets to ‘unreasonably interfere with the peace, comfort or convenience of others’.

The move followed mounting frustration from locals who said free-roaming cats had become a chronic problem across the town.

‘This is way overdue for our community,’ one local stated during the public consultation process.

‘Many people are at theirs wit’s end with the amount of cats wandering and using people’s gardens as toilets.

‘There are so many residents that feel helpless and feel there is nothing they can do to prevent the constant cat activity on their property from either strays or cats owned by irresponsible owners.’

Another respondent called for even tougher regulations.

‘I would like them to be stronger and strictly policed,’ they wrote.

‘My neighbourhood cats continually defecate in my garden beds and I do not know which cat lives where.’


But the pushback has been equally passionate.

Some cat owners have argued the changes unfairly target responsible pet owners.

‘I do not agree with placing a limit on the number of cats,’ one submission read.

‘Yes, if they are not desexed but as a responsible cat owner with eight that are all desexed I feel it is unfair.

‘Penalise the irresponsible people who allow their pets to breed out of control—not those of us already doing the right thing.’


Animal welfare groups also raised red flags about the possible fallout.

The Animal Pet Welfare Foundation warned that strict enforcement could backfire.

‘While well-intentioned, punitive measures such as new nuisance offences, cat limits, and confinement orders are unlikely to deliver improved community or animal welfare outcomes,’ the group said.

‘Evidence shows these approaches often lead to increased abandonment, lower compliance, and strained relations with the community, undermining responsible cat ownership.’

The foundation also highlighted the mental health implications for owners forced to part with their pets.

‘Pet ownership is well-documented to provide substantial mental health benefits, including reducing loneliness, stress, and anxiety.

‘Enforcement-based strategies that separate people from their pets or impose distressing conditions can erode these protective effects.’


Instead, the group has urged the council to consider proactive alternatives such as education, microchipping, and widespread desexing initiatives.

The final decision now rests in the hands of eight councillors—five must vote in favour for the by-law to pass.

For those wondering how other communities are responding to similar issues, Mount Gambier isn’t the only place grappling with the fallout of free-roaming pets.

With tensions rising between pet owners and councils, a growing number of towns are stepping in to address the surge in animal-related disturbances.

One recent case highlights just how far some councils are willing to go to protect public spaces and native wildlife.

Read more: Pet attacks are rising, and councils are drawing the line—here’s what they want done about it

Key Takeaways
  • Mount Gambier Council proposed a two-cat limit per household for future cats.
  • The by-law includes curfews, confinement, registration, and a new ‘nuisance offence’.
  • Community opinion was divided—some welcomed the plan, while others called it unfair.
  • Animal welfare advocates warned the rule could increase pet abandonment and mental distress.

Could a battle over backyard gardens really lead to new rules that change how we live with our pets?
 
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Reactions: BJM and Pam71

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I believe that if you own an animal, you should keep it on your property, whether it's a dog, cat, bird, horse, cow, etc, so it doesn't annoy anyone else. It's not too hard to build an enclosure for cats or keep them inside. My cats have lived long and healthy lives living totally inside or in a large enclosure.
 
Keep cats inside if everyone did that there would be a lot less problems !
I have a young puppy white and there’s a huge white cat forever trying to get in my place ! She has a kitten and I think she thinks my pup is hers !
It’s not the only cat hanging around either. It’s a bit much when you have to clean up after other people’s pets !
 
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Reactions: PattiB and Witty
I believe there is one that needs to be said. BE A RESPONSIBLE PET OWNER. If you really love your pet, look after it and don't let it wander round the neighbourhood. If you can't care or look after a pet, you should not have one.
I second that , have had cats fighting outside the bedroom late nights, killing birds , taking baby birds from nests , and constantly leaving their s**** in the garden and on the lawn, have also had cats dumped in the neighbourhood, recently had a young woman ask if a ginger one was mine , said no as it’s been hanging around for months , told her to get a trap from council to try to catch it as I haven’t been able to .
 
Initially, when I adopted my beloved furbaby, I was somewhat shocked when the vet told me to keep her indoors.
It took a while for me to see all the advantages. I even closed in my back verandah, bought fake grass and a fake tree amongst other items, just for her.
No, tick bites, no dog mauling, safe from cars and keeping the wildlife alive!
 
I totally agree. I knew someone who boasted that her cat always brought home a “present” for her which was a bird or lizard
Some cats can be cruel and it's up to the owners to stop them. Luckily for me Muffin didn't kill and only went out to what he had to do and Debs huge cat stays inside here and at her house
I totally agree. I knew someone who boasted that her cat always brought home a “present” for her which was a bird or lizard
 
We live in a 29 storey apartment complex which allows pets and we have a 21 year old feline furry turd who doesn't leave the confines of @DLHM's apartment.

However, many adjacent apartments have dogs, and one in particular, barks incessantly as early as 4 am. And don't speak of the stinky mutts in the elevators along with their equally stinky owners!

Keeping dogs in the confines of such an environment is nothing short of animal abuse.
 
Some cats can be cruel, and it's up to the owners to stop them. Luckily for me Muffin didn't kill and only went out to do what he had to do and Debs' huge cat stays inside here and at her house
All cats are hunters by nature as they are carnivores, even when well-fed by their humans, the hunting and play( is their hunting mode too) instinct never alters. If unable to make an inside-outside pen, they should be inside before dusk and not let out into the garden until well after sunrise. One can keep track of their movements, and young cats are bound to venture while old cats stay near.
We have had a couple of obviously owned cats cruise our place every night on the roof and fences, meowing and calling.
 
We live in a 29 storey apartment complex which allows pets and we have a 21 year old feline furry turd who doesn't leave the confines of @DLHM's apartment.

However, many adjacent apartments have dogs, and one in particular, barks incessantly as early as 4 am. And don't speak of the stinky mutts in the elevators along with their equally stinky owners!

Keeping dogs in the confines of such an environment is nothing short of animal abuse.
Just to let you know Neale and l know it's nothing to do with cats but you were saying a while ago how dear tomatoes were. At Coles now they are $9.90 kilo .
Pity l couldn't send you some Roma tomatoes $4.95 kilo in Margate
 

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