We're offering owners the opportunity to get at least 50 per cent off their registration renewal if they commit to keeping their cats contained at all times.
This new measure is aimed at reducing the number of roaming felines across the region, with the average cat clocking up to 300 kilometres per year.
Aligning with actions in the Victorian cat management strategy, increasing cat containment numbers helps reduce nuisance issues such as trespassing, fighting, spraying and unwanted litters (up to two litters each year per mating pair), while also improving cat safety, lowering vet bills, reducing pressure on shelters and protecting local wildlife.
The initiative recognises responsible ownership but is voluntary to sign up to. The existing dusk-to-dawn curfew rules remain unchanged.
To encourage community members to register their cats for the first time, we're also giving owners a free first year of registration if their cats are microchipped and desexed.
Additionally, the City will be passing on the Victorian Government's increased fee to councils of $4.51 to $9.00 per animal, as well as the growing cost of Animal Management services, which will see cat registration fees rise to $68 annually ($34 concession) per pet.
Anthony Basford, Executive Director City Life
Cat owners will soon spot changes to their annual notices when they are delivered via mail or email from Monday 9 March.Registration is an important part of protecting cats and ensuring that lost pets are reunited with their owners, while keeping them safely contained helps them have healthier lives.
We know community members want the best for their cats and our containment incentive and free year of registration offer go towards helping to support responsible ownership.
Increased registration fees reflect rising fees from the Victorian Government and the growing costs of our services, such as responding to nuisance cat complaints, trapping and reunification.
Councillor Chris Burson
The 'paws indoors, fees down' commitment recognises the positive role responsible owners played in reducing roaming behaviour.Indoor cats live safer and healthier lives and the savings on registration are an added bonus.
Owners of roaming cats face 400 per cent higher vet bills compared to contained cats because of attacks from other cats and dogs, accidents with cars and mishaps on the street.
In fact, fractures caused by road accidents are one of the top five reasons cats attend the vet, with an average bill of $836.
