Under the Cat Act 2011, all domestic cats six months and older must:
- be sterilised;
- be micro-chipped;
- be registered with the local government where the cat is ordinarily kept; and
- wear a registration tag, issued by the local government where the cat is registered.
Cat owners who do not comply with these requirements may be liable for fines of up to $5,000.
The Town of Cambridge Animals Local Law 2016(PDF, 327KB) also contains requirements and responsibilities for cat ownership in the Town.
Under the Town's local law no more than three cats, over the age three months, can be kept at one property.
Cats will not be registered without proof of micro-chipping and sterilisation.
Your local vet or the Cat Haven can micro-chip and sterilise your cat, and will provide you with proof of each. Proof can be provided by:
- Micro-chip Certificate; or
- Sterilisation Certificate.
- Registrations fall due on 31 October each year.
Register your new cat using the New Animal Registration form or download and complete the Register your Cat(PDF, 137KB) form.
| Registration (GST not applicable) |
1 Year |
3 Year |
Lifetime |
| Standard Fee |
$20 |
$42.50 |
$100 |
| Pensioner Fee* |
$10 |
$21.25 |
$50 |
| Breeder |
$100/cat
(annual fee) |
|
|
* Pensioner 50% discount applies to holders of a current Pensioner Concession Card or Seniors Card.
When you register your cat you will be issued with an ID tag displaying your name, address and contact number. The ID tag must be kept on your cat at all times.
Micro-chipping of pets is a safe and effective method of ensuring that if they get lost, there is an easy process in place to reunite them with their owners.
Cats will not be registered without proof of micro-chipping, which can be arranged through your local vet or the Cat Haven
A subsidy of $90 is available to Town of Cambridge residents to assist with the the cost of sterilisation.
To access the subsidy you must present a Sterilisation Certificate as proof of sterilisation.
Apply for Cat Sterilisation Subsidy
If you are concerned sterilising or micro-chipping would adversely affect your cat’s health, you must provide written confirmation from a vet to request an exemption.
- Register your cat with your local council
- Microchip your cat
- Sterilise your cat
- Vaccinate your cat
- Ensure your cat is easily identifiable with a collar, name tag and current registration tag
- Keep your cat safe by confining to your property, particularly at night
- Ensure your cat has a cosy sleeping area with food, water, and a litter tray.
In accordance with the Cat Act 2011, cat owners are responsible for controlling their cat.
The Town of Cambridge Animals Local Law 2016(PDF, 327KB) also contains enforceable requirements for the control of the cats in the Town.
Infringements may be issued for breaches to the Cat Act 2011 and Animals Local Law 2016.
Appeal a Cat Infringement
See all the best tips and advice from the RSPCA on keeping your cat safe and happy at home.
Download guide(PDF, 1MB)
Are you leaving Cambridge to move to another Council? Or moving into Cambridge from another Council?
Complete a Transfer an Animal form to let us know.
This form makes it easy to transfer your cat registration between Councils.
In the unfortunate event that your cat becomes deceased, let us know by completing a Deceased Animal form.
If you have sold or passed on your cat, we require you to complete a Change of Ownership form so we are able to register the cat with the new owner.
Complete a Change of Ownership form online