Cats - general information
The City encourages responsible cat ownership to minimise the impact of cat mating and territorial behaviours on your neighbours.
Under the City’s Cat Local Law 2014 a person can only keep two registered cats at a premises. A person wishing to keep more than two registered cats at a premises may apply to the City and the application will be assessed against the City's 5.3.16 - Applications to Keep More Than the Permitted Number of Cats(PDF, 144KB) Policy.
Stray cats which are caught on a resident’s property can be delivered by the resident to the City’s Cat Management Facility at no cost. The City’s Cat Management Facility is located at City's Operations Centre, 2 Canning Park Avenue, Maddington.
Cat breeding
A person who chooses to breed cats must apply to the City for an Application for a Certificate to be an Approved Cat Breeder. Fees apply. Fees_and_Charges
Approval is automatically granted to members of:
- Cat Owners Association WA
- Feline Control Council of WA
- Australian National Cats
- Cats United WA
You may be refused if you have been convicted against the Cat Act 2011, Dog Act 1976 or the Animal Welfare Act 2002.
When a cat is sold or given away the seller must ensure the cat is microchipped and sterilised prior to transfer.
Approved cat breeders are not exempt from cat registrations and are required to register each breeding cat (male of female).
Animal Traps
Hiring a small animal trap
City of Gosnells residents can hire a small animal trap from the City’s Impound Management Facility which is located at Canning Park Avenue Maddington
Open times for trap collection
- Monday - Friday between 10.00am to 11.00am & 3.30pm to 4.30pm
- Weekends and Public Holidays 10am to 11am
- Christmas day and Good Friday Closed
These traps can only be used on the private property of the person who hired the trap.
Cats caught using the traps where the owner is unknown should be taken to the City's Cat management Facility. If a cat has a registration tag, contact the City on 9397 3000.
Fees for trap hire
There is no fee for hiring a small animal trap however a bond does apply. See below for link to fees and charges for the bond charges.
Returning the small animal trap within 5 business days will result in the bond amount being fully returned.
Returning the small animal trap between 6 and 10 Business days will result in 50% of the bond amount being retained by the City.
Returning the small animal trap after 10 business days will result in the City retaining the full bond amount.
Bond money will be returned in via an electronic fund transfer.
Cat Act 2011
The State Government introduced the Cat Act 2011 which aims to encourage responsible pet ownership and reduce the number of unwanted cats in the community.
Since 1 November 2013 all cats over the age of six months are required to be sterilised, registered and micro-chipped.
The City began registrations of cats from that date.
Queries regarding the Cat Act 2011 should be directed to the Department of Local Government.
Residents who have concerns about cat welfare should contact the RSPCA.
Cat Prohibited Areas
The City's Cat Local Law 2014 designates specific locations where cats are prohibited at any time and trapping may be undertaken. You can view these locations here cat prohibited locations. Where a cat is caught in a prohibited area and the cat can be identified, the owner of the cat will be notified.
Where a cat is caught in a prohibited area, the owner of the cat may be liable for an infringement of $200 or a maximum penalty of up to $2,000.
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