Stray / Roaming Cats

Unlike dogs, cats are allowed to roam in public places and onto private property. There is no law prohibiting cats from roaming.

Cat owners are encouraged to keep their cat indoors permanently, or contained by way of a cat containment system to prevent their cat hunting, cat calling, fighting and being injured by cars or other animals. Find out more about being a responsible cat owner.

Under the Companion Animals Act a cat may only be lawfully seized in the following circumstances:

• If a cat is in a public place prohibited under the Act (eg food preparation/consumption area or wildlife protection area) (section 30).
• If seizing the cat is reasonable and necessary for the protection of any person or animal (section 32).

Cats can roam up to 1km radius from where they live or are being fed. Before assuming a roaming cat is a "stray" please:

• Check to see if cat has collar and tag.
• Attach a paper collar with a phone number on it.
• Do a door knock around the area to ask if the cat belongs to a neighbour.
• Post a photograph of the cat on social media such as on Campbelltown Lost Found and Injured Pets or other Facebook groups.

To prevent a roaming cat becoming a nuisance do not allow them to enter your house or have access to food on your property - we recommend that if you own a cat to feed them inside, and do not feed the roaming cat.

The Companion Animals Act requires a council to accept into the pound any cat which has been lawfully seized and is delivered to the pound by a member of public or other authorised person of the council, such as a ranger. Capacity restrictions may apply at certain times throughout the year.

As it is required by law, stray cats that are lawfully seized must be delivered to the pound that is dedicated for that Local Government Area.

The Act does not require a council to collect a “stray” animal from any public or private place. Cats that are taken to an out of area pound or animal care facility may not be accepted, and public will be advised to deliver the animal to the correct holding facility.

Unlike dogs, cats are allowed to roam in public places and onto private property. There is no law prohibiting cats from roaming and therefore are not required to be accepted into the facility unless they have been lawfully seized under the Companion Animals Act.

Unlike dogs, cats are allowed to roam in public places and onto private property. There is no law prohibiting cats from roaming. Under the Companion Animals Act a cat may only be lawfully seized in the following circumstances:

• If a cat is in a public place prohibited under the Act (eg food preparation/consumption area or wildlife protection area) (section 30).
• If seizing the cat is reasonable and necessary for the protection of any person or animal (section 32).

Cats can roam up to 1km radius from where they live or are being fed. Before assuming a roaming cat is a "stray" please:

• Check to see if cat has collar and tag.
• Attach a paper collar with a phone number on it.
• Do a door knock around the area to ask if the cat belongs to a neighbour.
• Post a photograph of the cat on social media such as on Campbelltown Lost Found and Injured Pets or other Facebook groups.

Council reserves the right to refuse roaming cats that have not be lawfully seized.

Outside of the Animal Care Facility hours

Where a stray cat is lawfully seized by a member of the community outside the opening hours of the Animal Care Facility and it is not possible to keep the cat until the facility opens:

• The animal may be taken to any approved premises within the Campbelltown Local Government Area (LGA) or the RSPCA.
• If the dog is severely injured or unwell the animal is required to be treated by the receiving vet (as per POCTA obligations) until the animal is stabilised and well enough for transfer to the Animal Care Facility as appropriate.
• Less critical cases can be referred to any vet clinic for interim treatment and holding until well enough for transfer to Council’s Animal Care Facility.