City of Mount Gambier is progressing with the introduction of a new Cats By-law following a comprehensive By-law review conducted in 2025, alongside expanded support programs to assist local cat owners.
A key highlight of Council's approach has been the delivery of subsidised cat desexing initiatives, aimed at making responsible pet ownership more accessible for the community. Earlier this year, eligible residents were offered significantly discounted desexing services and free microchipping through Council's partnership with the National Desexing Network (NDN).
The program received strong community uptake, with all available vouchers fully exhausted, demonstrating the high demand for affordable veterinary care. By reducing financial barriers, the initiative has helped prevent unplanned litters, improve animal welfare, and reduce the number of stray and nuisance cats across the city.
City of Mount Gambier General Manager Corporate and Regulatory Services Jane Fetherstonhaugh said the program represents a practical and proactive way to support the community.
"Our focus is on working with residents to achieve better outcomes for both pets and the broader community," Mrs Fetherstonhaugh said.
"The subsidised desexing program has been incredibly well received and is making a real difference. It supports owners to care for their animals responsibly while helping reduce the number of unwanted cats over time."
Council is now exploring opportunities to continue and expand the program in the 2026/2027 financial year following the success of recent grant funding secured through the Dog and Cat Management Board.
Alongside these support initiatives, Cat By-Law No. 6 came into effect earlier this year, introducing changes designed to improve cat management within the council area.
From 1 July 2026, all cats will need to be registered with Council. Registration fees have been structured to encourage responsible ownership, with lower fees applying to cats that are desexed and microchipped, as well as concessions for eligible card holders.
Mrs Fetherstonhaugh said registration is an important tool that complements education and support programs.
"Registering your cat provides peace of mind and significantly increases the chances of being reunited if your pet is lost," she said.
"It also supports responsible pet ownership and helps reduce the number of stray cats in our community."
The By-law also introduces a three-cat limit per household with transitional arrangements in place for existing owners who currently have more than three cats.
The By-law responds directly to strong community feedback received during consultation for the 2024-2028 Dog and Cat Management Plan.
"When we undertook community consultation in 2024 we heard quite clearly that there was a desire for Council to take a more active role in the management of cats," Mrs Fetherstonhaugh said.
"Following this feedback, Council took steps to introduce a new Cats By-Law that balances responsible pet ownership with community expectations."
Council will continue to focus on education, support, and practical initiatives that assist residents to care for their pets responsibly while maintaining community amenity.
