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Cat containment commitment

Cat owners can receive at least 50 per cent discount on their registration by committing to keep their cats contained indoors or in a secure enclosure. Learn how the program works and why containment helps protect cats, wildlife and the community.

Paws Indoors, Fees Down

The City is offering cat owners the opportunity to receive at least 50 per cent off their cat registration if they commit to keeping their cats contained at all times (indoors or in a secure enclosure).

This initiative aims to reduce the number of roaming cats, with the average cat travelling up to 300 kilometres per year.

If a cat is found roaming, the owner will receive education and a warning. For second and subsequent instances, the owner will no longer be eligible for the discount and registration will revert to full price from the next renewal period.

The initiative recognises responsible ownership and is voluntary to sign up to. The existing dusk-to-dawn curfew rules remain unchanged.

The City will be passing on the Victorian Government’s increased fee to councils (from $4.51 to $9.00 per animal), as well as the growing cost of Animal Management services. This will see cat registration fees rise to $68 annually ($34 concession) per pet.

Note: We trust that owners making a commitment to contain do so in good faith and will have their cat contained as pledged.
This program is voluntary. Cat owners who do not wish to participate can continue to register their cat as normal. The existing dusk-to-dawn cat curfew remains the only mandatory containment requirement.

Keeping cats contained benefits pets, owners and the wider community by helping to:

  • reduce nuisance issues such as trespassing and fighting
  • prevent unwanted litters
  • lower veterinary costs associated with injuries and disease
  • reduce pressure on animal shelters
  • protect local wildlife

Aligning with actions in the Victorian Cat Management Strategy (PDF), increasing cat containment numbers supports responsible pet ownership and improves outcomes for cats and the community.

Learn more about cat containment

For more information on why containment keeps your cat safer and tips to keep them happy indoors, visit the RSPCA Victoria Rethink Roaming website.

 

How to sign up

Soon, cat owners will be able to opt in to the containment commitment during the online pet registration process.

In the meantime, you can opt in after registering your cat by submitting the containment commitment through Change your pet details.

If you are registering your cat for the first time, your first year is free. You can opt in for the cat containment commitment when it comes time to renew and access the discounted fee.

 

Register your cat Change your pet details (Cat containment commitment)

Cat containment FAQs

The cat containment commitment is a voluntary agreement for cat owners who choose to keep their cat fully contained to their property at all times, day and night.

Containment can be achieved by keeping your cat indoors, or by using a secure enclosure or cat-proof fencing that prevents roaming beyond your property.

Council is offering at least a 50% discount on cat registration to recognise the positive impact that contained cats have on:

  • reducing nuisance complaints
  • protecting wildlife
  • lowering animal management and shelter costs
  • improving cat health and longevity

The discount rewards responsible ownership and encourages best practice cat management.

Council is encouraging cat containment because it:

  • keeps cats safer and healthier
  • reduces nuisance issues such as trespassing, fighting and spraying
  • protects native wildlife
  • reduces pressure on animal shelters
  • lowers the risk of cats becoming lost or injured

Even well-fed cats have a strong instinct to hunt, and containment is the most effective way to minimise these impacts while improving animal welfare.

The cat registration fee has increased to bring it in line with other registration fees across Victoria and to better reflect the cost of providing animal management services, education programs and compliance activities.

The containment commitment provides an opportunity for eligible owners to reduce this cost.

No. This is not a 24/7 cat curfew, and it is not mandatory.

The existing dusk-to-dawn cat curfew remains unchanged and continues to apply to all cats.

The containment commitment is a voluntary program that offers an incentive for owners who choose to go beyond the minimum legal requirement by containing their cat during the day as well.

If a cat registered under the containment commitment is found roaming, the following will apply:

  • the first time, the owner will receive a warning and education about containment requirements
  • if the cat is found roaming again, the registration will revert to the full registration fee

This approach focuses on education first while maintaining fairness for owners who meet their commitment.

Council understands that accidents can happen.

If a cat registered under the containment commitment is found roaming, the first instance will result in education and a warning to help the owner improve containment.

If the cat is found roaming again, the containment discount may be removed, and the registration will revert to the full registration fee from the next renewal period.

The program focuses on supporting responsible pet owners and encouraging long-term containment, rather than penalising genuine mistakes.

No. Cats can live happy, enriched and healthy lives when properly contained.

With appropriate enrichment, routines and stimulation, most cats adapt well to indoor living or enclosed outdoor spaces.

Contained cats are less likely to be injured, contract disease, get lost or be involved in fights.

Council is supporting cat owners through:

  • education and practical guidance on containment
  • links to RSPCA Victoria’s Rethink Roaming resources, of which Geelong is a participating pilot council
  • information on building or purchasing cat enclosures
  • low-cost enclosure demonstrations and workshops
  • tips for enriching indoor environments

The focus is on helping owners transition successfully, not penalising them.

Yes. Regardless of whether you sign the containment commitment, all cats must be contained to their owner’s property between sunset and sunrise under the existing local law.

Penalties may apply for wandering, nuisance or unregistered animals.

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