Pets are part of the family. They bring us joy, companionship, and unconditional love. And we want the best for them. That’s why we make sure they have the best food, the best toys, and the best veterinary care.

And as responsible pet owners, it's important to prioritise the exercise needs of our furry friends. Just like us, our pets need to stay active to stay healthy – both physically and mentally.

There are a number of ways to make sure your pet gets the exercise they need. If you have a dog, regular walks or runs are a great way to get them moving. If you have a cat, provide them with plenty of toys and space to run and explore.

Speaking of running spaces for cats, it has been a controversial debate over the past few years on whether it is ethical for cats to roam outside their owners' houses, with some people arguing that the felines are liable for the deaths of local wildlife.

That's why when Bass Coast Shire Council, located east of Melbourne, introduced a new ordinance that orders a 24/7 cat ban to stop the animals from roaming the streets, pet owners were quick to call out the initiative.

Bass Coast Shire Council CEO Ali Wastie declared the new policy, informing residents that they will be fined $180 if their cats are caught wandering outside their properties.

She explained: ‘The best thing for cats is for them to be contained.’

‘We have penguins, we have an abundance of wildlife. The only way to keep our wildlife safe is to have these cats contained.’

Ecologist Dr Jim Radford supported the claim, saying: ‘The average pet cat wandering unconstrained for 24 hours a day kills an average of 115 native animals per year.’

A new local council ordinance has outraged pet owners after it ordered a ‘24/7’ ban on cats. Credit: iStock.​

While these reasons may seem valid, cat owners seemed to be outraged by the announcement, with many describing the new law as ‘stupid’.

Several cat owners went as far as to say that Australia has completely lost it with its ridiculous laws.

One person wrote: ‘Australia, the most insane country in the world.’

‘Australia is out of control with controlling its citizens,’ another agreed.

A third said: ‘This country has lost the plot.’

Others called for a different approach, with one cat owner suggesting: ‘Fairly draconian way … not impressed. A more positive action of assisting in desexing etc would be appropriate.’

Meanwhile, several others claimed that the focus of government officials seems to be misdirected to their pets instead of the other issues in the country.

‘Cats aren’t the problem, thieves, drunks etc. cause much more carnage and damage than a cat. Put your energy and money into policing them,’ one woman said.

It should be noted that Bass Coast Shire is not the only council enforcing these laws. In some areas of Victoria, South Australia, Western Australia, and the Australian Capital Territory, local councils are issuing heavy fines to residents who allow their cats to roam free, with some fines even reaching up to $1600.

While we believe that laws like this should be studied and supported by experts, we think it is best to have consultations with cat owners as well so authorities can come up with policies and programs that cater to everyone involved.

How about you? What are your thoughts on this? Better yet, does your local council impose such a policy? How have cat owners in your area (or you, if you own a cat) reacted to it?

Also, for those of you who own cats and are looking to train them to be indoor cats (in case your local council imposes the same law), you might want to check out this video:

Credit: YouTube/Relax My Cat - Relaxing Music for Cats​

 

[Alexander]

This is nothing new. Casey in Victoria has had this policy for at least 10 years 24/7. . A roaming cat is likely to be run over, attacked or infected by feral cats or dogs, stolen, or drowned in pools or water. Keep them inside. There are plenty of companies who build enclosed catteries if they need to go into the fresh air, or a kit to build one. . People who let their cats out are irresponsible and just too lazy ro provide litter trays.

Quite agree. Lock them up ... but then I don't like cats and won't have them in my house or my investment property. They are by nature hunters and you can mollycoddle that instinct out of them supposedly, but it is much more important to retain the local aimal life.

 

[XQueenslander]

Pets are part of the family. They bring us joy, companionship, and unconditional love. And we want the best for them. That’s why we make sure they have the best food, the best toys, and the best veterinary care.

And as responsible pet owners, it's important to prioritise the exercise needs of our furry friends. Just like us, our pets need to stay active to stay healthy – both physically and mentally.

There are a number of ways to make sure your pet gets the exercise they need. If you have a dog, regular walks or runs are a great way to get them moving. If you have a cat, provide them with plenty of toys and space to run and explore.

Speaking of running spaces for cats, it has been a controversial debate over the past few years on whether it is ethical for cats to roam outside their owners' houses, with some people arguing that the felines are liable for the deaths of local wildlife.

That's why when Bass Coast Shire Council, located east of Melbourne, introduced a new ordinance that orders a 24/7 cat ban to stop the animals from roaming the streets, pet owners were quick to call out the initiative.

Bass Coast Shire Council CEO Ali Wastie declared the new policy, informing residents that they will be fined $180 if their cats are caught wandering outside their properties.

She explained: ‘The best thing for cats is for them to be contained.’

‘We have penguins, we have an abundance of wildlife. The only way to keep our wildlife safe is to have these cats contained.’

Ecologist Dr Jim Radford supported the claim, saying: ‘The average pet cat wandering unconstrained for 24 hours a day kills an average of 115 native animals per year.’

A new local council ordinance has outraged pet owners after it ordered a ‘24/7’ ban on cats. Credit: iStock.​

While these reasons may seem valid, cat owners seemed to be outraged by the announcement, with many describing the new law as ‘stupid’.

Several cat owners went as far as to say that Australia has completely lost it with its ridiculous laws.

One person wrote: ‘Australia, the most insane country in the world.’

‘Australia is out of control with controlling its citizens,’ another agreed.

A third said: ‘This country has lost the plot.’

Others called for a different approach, with one cat owner suggesting: ‘Fairly draconian way … not impressed. A more positive action of assisting in desexing etc would be appropriate.’

Meanwhile, several others claimed that the focus of government officials seems to be misdirected to their pets instead of the other issues in the country.

‘Cats aren’t the problem, thieves, drunks etc. cause much more carnage and damage than a cat. Put your energy and money into policing them,’ one woman said.

It should be noted that Bass Coast Shire is not the only council enforcing these laws. In some areas of Victoria, South Australia, Western Australia, and the Australian Capital Territory, local councils are issuing heavy fines to residents who allow their cats to roam free, with some fines even reaching up to $1600.

While we believe that laws like this should be studied and supported by experts, we think it is best to have consultations with cat owners as well so authorities can come up with policies and programs that cater to everyone involved.

How about you? What are your thoughts on this? Better yet, does your local council impose such a policy? How have cat owners in your area (or you, if you own a cat) reacted to it?

Also, for those of you who own cats and are looking to train them to be indoor cats (in case your local council imposes the same law), you might want to check out this video:

Credit: YouTube/Relax My Cat - Relaxing Music for Cats​

Many councils in Melbourne don't allow cats to roam.
Our cat loves to take us for a walk once he is dressed in his harness and lead.
Twenty minutes in the morning and he is happy for the rest of the day.

 

[Elbe]

Responsible pet ownership means just that!! They rely upon us to look after them & so-called feral cats are simply the result of human neglect in the first place.

One of my neighbours collects cats & dogs like other people might collect souvenirs ..... he "loves" animals he says but I've taken 3 of 'his' cats to my vet injured or sick. All 3 were so wild, starving, and so desperate to be my cats that it made my vet cry! She rang the owner each time & got the same excuses about why they were neglected so she asked the neighbour to stop getting more cats - not sure he will listen to her but I hope he does. Meanwhile, the new 3 are now living in cat heaven with my 2 older cats and my big courtyard cat enclosure was the best thing I've ever done for my fur family. They love the freedom & I love that they - and wildlife - are always safe! I'd no more allow my pets to wander than I would have let my children do so. But then, I've seen how some people raise children so expecting them to look after animals is a stretch!!

 

[Elbe]

Quite agree. Lock them up ... but then I don't like cats and won't have them in my house or my investment property. They are by nature hunters and you can mollycoddle that instinct out of them supposedly, but it is much more important to retain the local aimal life.

But ALL lives are important - wildlife is not more worthy & cats are only hunters the same as every carnivore or omnivore is. Unless animals are provided with food they have to hunt - that's just a fact. They cant go to supermarkets......
I love cats (and dogs, possums, tassie devils and galahs too!) and, as a wildlife carer & someone who volunteers overseas regularly in animal care - I appreciate that while not everyone loves cats, we are lucky to have small versions of lions, tigers, leopards that we can safely enjoy the company of.

 

[PepeLePew]

Having read all the above comments I often wonder about animals suffering from lack of Vitamin D which is obtained from the sun. Now having said that I have not owed a cat now for a few yrs as I became allergic to my last one who lived to be 18 yrs old. He was outside during the day and locked up at night. The cat I had prior to him lived to be nearly 20 and was an outdoors cat day and night. These days though reading the ever increasing amount of posts on F/B in my area regarding lost or deceased cats is heartbreaking. Just this morning I saw what appeared to be a pure bred Persian cat deceased on the side of the road. Wish I had that kind of money to be able to purchase pure bred animals and then let them roam the streets to get hit and killed by cars. The answer is simple, if you own an animal, whether it be a cat or dog, keep in confined to your own property or if in public, on a leash so it isn't attacking wildlife or people.

 

[G Reg]

Pets are part of the family. They bring us joy, companionship, and unconditional love. And we want the best for them. That’s why we make sure they have the best food, the best toys, and the best veterinary care.

And as responsible pet owners, it's important to prioritise the exercise needs of our furry friends. Just like us, our pets need to stay active to stay healthy – both physically and mentally.

There are a number of ways to make sure your pet gets the exercise they need. If you have a dog, regular walks or runs are a great way to get them moving. If you have a cat, provide them with plenty of toys and space to run and explore.

Speaking of running spaces for cats, it has been a controversial debate over the past few years on whether it is ethical for cats to roam outside their owners' houses, with some people arguing that the felines are liable for the deaths of local wildlife.

That's why when Bass Coast Shire Council, located east of Melbourne, introduced a new ordinance that orders a 24/7 cat ban to stop the animals from roaming the streets, pet owners were quick to call out the initiative.

Bass Coast Shire Council CEO Ali Wastie declared the new policy, informing residents that they will be fined $180 if their cats are caught wandering outside their properties.

She explained: ‘The best thing for cats is for them to be contained.’

‘We have penguins, we have an abundance of wildlife. The only way to keep our wildlife safe is to have these cats contained.’

Ecologist Dr Jim Radford supported the claim, saying: ‘The average pet cat wandering unconstrained for 24 hours a day kills an average of 115 native animals per year.’

A new local council ordinance has outraged pet owners after it ordered a ‘24/7’ ban on cats. Credit: iStock.​

While these reasons may seem valid, cat owners seemed to be outraged by the announcement, with many describing the new law as ‘stupid’.

Several cat owners went as far as to say that Australia has completely lost it with its ridiculous laws.

One person wrote: ‘Australia, the most insane country in the world.’

‘Australia is out of control with controlling its citizens,’ another agreed.

A third said: ‘This country has lost the plot.’

Others called for a different approach, with one cat owner suggesting: ‘Fairly draconian way … not impressed. A more positive action of assisting in desexing etc would be appropriate.’

Meanwhile, several others claimed that the focus of government officials seems to be misdirected to their pets instead of the other issues in the country.

‘Cats aren’t the problem, thieves, drunks etc. cause much more carnage and damage than a cat. Put your energy and money into policing them,’ one woman said.

It should be noted that Bass Coast Shire is not the only council enforcing these laws. In some areas of Victoria, South Australia, Western Australia, and the Australian Capital Territory, local councils are issuing heavy fines to residents who allow their cats to roam free, with some fines even reaching up to $1600.

While we believe that laws like this should be studied and supported by experts, we think it is best to have consultations with cat owners as well so authorities can come up with policies and programs that cater to everyone involved.

How about you? What are your thoughts on this? Better yet, does your local council impose such a policy? How have cat owners in your area (or you, if you own a cat) reacted to it?

Also, for those of you who own cats and are looking to train them to be indoor cats (in case your local council imposes the same law), you might want to check out this video:

Credit: YouTube/Relax My Cat - Relaxing Music for Cats​

Well done Bass Coast council because unlike most responsible dog owners, cat owners don’t give a crap if their little moggy does their business on someone else’s property

 

[adorableagnes]

Pets are part of the family. They bring us joy, companionship, and unconditional love. And we want the best for them. That’s why we make sure they have the best food, the best toys, and the best veterinary care.

And as responsible pet owners, it's important to prioritise the exercise needs of our furry friends. Just like us, our pets need to stay active to stay healthy – both physically and mentally.

There are a number of ways to make sure your pet gets the exercise they need. If you have a dog, regular walks or runs are a great way to get them moving. If you have a cat, provide them with plenty of toys and space to run and explore.

Speaking of running spaces for cats, it has been a controversial debate over the past few years on whether it is ethical for cats to roam outside their owners' houses, with some people arguing that the felines are liable for the deaths of local wildlife.

That's why when Bass Coast Shire Council, located east of Melbourne, introduced a new ordinance that orders a 24/7 cat ban to stop the animals from roaming the streets, pet owners were quick to call out the initiative.

Bass Coast Shire Council CEO Ali Wastie declared the new policy, informing residents that they will be fined $180 if their cats are caught wandering outside their properties.

She explained: ‘The best thing for cats is for them to be contained.’

‘We have penguins, we have an abundance of wildlife. The only way to keep our wildlife safe is to have these cats contained.’

Ecologist Dr Jim Radford supported the claim, saying: ‘The average pet cat wandering unconstrained for 24 hours a day kills an average of 115 native animals per year.’

A new local council ordinance has outraged pet owners after it ordered a ‘24/7’ ban on cats. Credit: iStock.​

While these reasons may seem valid, cat owners seemed to be outraged by the announcement, with many describing the new law as ‘stupid’.

Several cat owners went as far as to say that Australia has completely lost it with its ridiculous laws.

One person wrote: ‘Australia, the most insane country in the world.’

‘Australia is out of control with controlling its citizens,’ another agreed.

A third said: ‘This country has lost the plot.’

Others called for a different approach, with one cat owner suggesting: ‘Fairly draconian way … not impressed. A more positive action of assisting in desexing etc would be appropriate.’

Meanwhile, several others claimed that the focus of government officials seems to be misdirected to their pets instead of the other issues in the country.

‘Cats aren’t the problem, thieves, drunks etc. cause much more carnage and damage than a cat. Put your energy and money into policing them,’ one woman said.

It should be noted that Bass Coast Shire is not the only council enforcing these laws. In some areas of Victoria, South Australia, Western Australia, and the Australian Capital Territory, local councils are issuing heavy fines to residents who allow their cats to roam free, with some fines even reaching up to $1600.

While we believe that laws like this should be studied and supported by experts, we think it is best to have consultations with cat owners as well so authorities can come up with policies and programs that cater to everyone involved.

How about you? What are your thoughts on this? Better yet, does your local council impose such a policy? How have cat owners in your area (or you, if you own a cat) reacted to it?

Also, for those of you who own cats and are looking to train them to be indoor cats (in case your local council imposes the same law), you might want to check out this video:

Credit: YouTube/Relax My Cat - Relaxing Music for Cats​

I think it is a good move, I get sick of the neighbours cats scratching in my flower beds and making themselves at home on my patio furniture. Dogs have to be kept in peoples yards so why not cats? Now I don't want people telling me that I don't know what I am talking about but I have had cats and always kept them indoors with no problems.

 

[loraines]

Sorry but I have to disagree - cat owners have just as many rights as any other members of society! A cat is a free roaming animal, they need a territory! While I am aware that SOME cats - definitely not all can be particularly focused hunters - most that are adequately fed and loved as part of the family are not! If you have a particularly predatory cat or dog or person - they need to be contained, I agree.
However your average neutered moggy snoozing outside under a bush or on the driveway where it’s warm, is no risk to anyone or thing except the odd grasshopper!
You cannot take a blanket approach to cats anymore than any other animal or person!
It is the responsibility of the people who allow their cats to breed and then throw the poor little kittens into the bush to die or be eaten themselves. Pet cats should have be to be desexed by law unless you’re a breeder, and apply those horrendous fines to the cruel and ignorant ones who don’t do it.
Last but not least it is feral cats that cause damage to wildlife- it’s not their fault they are feral, they were ditched as kittens and managed to survive and they have to eat!! As usual it’s the lazy governance and control that leads to this situation!

Well, I disagree. My friends “harmless domestic moggy” has brought five half dead birds into his house. A cat wakes up each day and looks for something to play with and then ‘kill’.
My next door neighbour used to let her 11 cats out prior to the curfew. She ran over and killed one accidentally in her drive, others caught cat flu and died or suffered all their lives, one was killed by a pack of dogs, one by a snake and one drowned in her water tank. An outdoor roaming cat won’t live more than an average of 4/5 years, ask any vet or rescue shelter
As to territory, I have a huge complex of cat houses with outside enclosed runs, hammocks, scratchingposts and tunnels. All my cats have lived excellent lives to at least 17 years old. I’ve been a registered breeder for 27 years and wouldn’t sell a pedigree cat to anyone who doesn’t confine their cat.

 

[Elbe]

Having read all the above comments I often wonder about animals suffering from lack of Vitamin D which is obtained from the sun. Now having said that I have not owed a cat now for a few yrs as I became allergic to my last one who lived to be 18 yrs old. He was outside during the day and locked up at night. The cat I had prior to him lived to be nearly 20 and was an outdoors cat day and night. These days though reading the ever increasing amount of posts on F/B in my area regarding lost or deceased cats is heartbreaking. Just this morning I saw what appeared to be a pure bred Persian cat deceased on the side of the road. Wish I had that kind of money to be able to purchase pure bred animals and then let them roam the streets to get hit and killed by cars. The answer is simple, if you own an animal, whether it be a cat or dog, keep in confined to your own property or if in public, on a leash so it isn't attacking wildlife or people.

Why people don't care for their pets lives by protecting them defies common sense for most of us .......

And for all who'd like the answer for when people say they've got to let the cat out for vitamin D - it is incorrect, even apart from all the other dangers to roaming cats. Cats (all of the Felidae genus) do NOT synthesise vitamin D from sunlight like humans do. Cats like to lay in sunlight for the body heat it generates, the feeling of well-being that warmth inspires, it makes them sleepy & benefits their immune system (pretty much same as human needs) but they don't metabolize UVB rays directly into vitamin D3 like the human body physically requires. As a rule, they get most vitamin D they need from their diets (naturally for wild cats, scientific additives for domesticated cats). The warmth of sunlight promotes sebaceous oil on cat's coats that they ingest when they groom themselves and it becomes a hormone with similar health benefits to vitamin D. It is just as effective through glass or as filtered sunlight. That is why most vets will simply say sunlight for vitamin D & not say cats should go outside.

 

[Elbe]

Well done Bass Coast council because unlike most responsible dog owners, cat owners don’t give a crap if their little moggy does their business on someone else’s property

I don't know that we can generalise like that really ..... there are far too many dog owners who are more than just irresponsible because they are blind to how their dog affects others & just as many wonderfully responsible cat owners who go above & beyond normal requirements in keeping their cats contained.

 

[Liz]

I feel i am a responsible cat owner and try my hardest to keep my cats indoors for their safety and the environment, namely birds etc. We used to have to register our cats in Brisbane but the Council found it too hard to police (pity I thought it was a good idea). All my cats have come from shelters and they have all been de-sexed, vaccinated and microchipped. The Animal Welfare League runs free de-sexing at times and people should take up this opportunity for their cats own benefit. An undesexed male causes so much trouble with spraying and chasing wildlife (speaking from experience in my own complex here) and also fighting with other outside cats at night. It is not fair to the cats who can get abscesses and other nasty infections. Please de-sex your cat and keep them indoors. It may take a while to train them but it is worth it.

 

[Vinylted]

They are suitable pets for suitable owners- every country has wildlife, why can’t Australia manage pet ownership better. The problem is people not the pets, but a domesticated dog is not a hunter, but a cat is. A well fed cat will still hunt regardless (please don't imagine rag-doll cats as typical lol) Introduced animals not native to Australia have caused untold misery for many years. Rabbits, foxes, cats, camels etc mostly at the expense of native wildlife.