The Cat Act 2011

The Cat Act 2011 is legislation in Western Australia that requires the identification, registration, and sterilisation of domestic cats. It also provides local governments with the authority to administer and enforce these requirements.

The purpose of the Act is to promote responsible cat ownership, reduce the number of unwanted and stray cats in the community, and decrease the number of cats euthanised each year. It also improves the chances of lost cats being returned to their owners through proper identification and registration.

What this means for you and your cat

Under the Cat Act 2011, all cats over 6 months of age must be:

• Microchipped
• Sterilised (desexed)
• Registered with the relevant local government

In addition, cats are encouraged to wear a collar and registration tag to further assist with identification and prompt return if they become lost.

These requirements support both animal welfare and environmental protection, while helping ensure your cat remains safe and easily identifiable.