- Cat Amendment (Local Laws) Bill 2026 set to be introduced to Parliament
- New amendments to empower local governments and safeguard native wildlife
- Public consultation underway on 2026 Cat Act Review
The Cook Government will progress the Cat Amendment (Local Laws) Bill,empowering local governments to make and enforce local laws regarding cat containment.
The reforms enable local governments to implement cat containment measures that reflect local needs and community expectations.
Through the Bill, if passed, local governments will be able to implement local laws that include restricting cats to their owners' premises, prohibiting cats from all public areas, or introducing cat curfews.
In progressing cat containment local laws, local governments will also be able to consider transition arrangements for existing outdoor cat owners and are encouraged to continue to explore other strategies and initiatives to support outdoor cat owners with the implementation of the local laws.
The proposed amendments will result in better protection for Western Australian wildlife, with roaming pet cats estimated to kill millions of birds, reptiles, and small mammals each year.
Cats kept indoors or otherwise contained within a property are also known to be healthier and suffer fewer injuries.
Public consultation is also underway on the statutory review of the Cat Act 2011. Written submissions are invited on domestic cat management topics, including registration, enforcement and compliance, sterilisation, microchipping, breeding,andlimits on the number of cats owned.
For more information on the review, visit: www.lgirs.wa.gov.au/cat-act-review
As stated by Local Government Minister Hannah Beazley:
"The Cook Labor Government is taking action to enable local laws which support responsible cat ownership.
"If passed, the Bill will empower individual councils to engage with their communities on how they approach cat containment and then make local laws which reflect the needs of their community.
"Cat containment will prevent the destruction of native wildlife and improve the lives of people's beloved pet cats."
