Surf Coast Shire, Australia – The Surf Coast Shire is set to enforce a 24-hour cat curfew beginning this weekend, signaling a significant change in pet conditions for local cat owners. This curfew, which will encompass the entire municipality, officially takes effect on September 30, requiring all cats within the shire to be confined to their owner’s property unless appropriately restrained.
The primary aim of this curfew is to safeguard local wildlife and minimize the impact of cats on neighbors and their pets. According to Cr Rose Hodge, this new 24-hour shire-wide cat curfew aligns with the council’s Domestic Animal Management Plan, prioritizing responsible pet ownership. Currently, there are 757 registered domestic cats within the shire, with a majority in the Torquay Ward.
Community feedback played a pivotal role in shaping this initiative, with concerns about cats’ impact on local wildlife and strong support for a stricter cat curfew being highlighted during consultations in 2021 and the subsequent ‘cattitude’ survey in 2022.
The Surf Coast Shire aims to improve the overall health and safety of cats through this curfew, reducing injuries that may arise from inter-cat fights, vehicle accidents, ingestion of harmful substances, or intrusions onto neighboring properties.
Previously, the Surf Coast had imposed a curfew that required cats in urban-zoned areas to be confined to their owner’s premises between 8 pm and 6 am, with no curfew in rural-zoned areas.
Cr Hodge emphasized that the Council’s Ranger Team has been actively communicating with cat owners to facilitate a smooth transition to the new curfew. To prevent cats from roaming, owners can explore options such as building cat enclosures in their yards or installing cat-proof fencing. The council provides ample information and resources on its website to assist with these efforts.
This 24-hour cat curfew reflects the Surf Coast Shire’s commitment to responsible pet ownership and aims to strike a balance between ensuring feline safety and preserving local wildlife.
