Nuisance Cats

Responsible Cat Management

Irresponsible cat ownership has a large impact on our community. However, there is no legal requirement for a cat to be secured inside a private property. This allows cats to wander or roam onto neighbouring properties.

The issues of cat management relate predominantly to the impact of cats on wildlife. Cats can also be a nuisance to surrounding neighbours. A distinction needs to be made between feral cats, domestic cats and stray cats.

Owners are always advised of complaints of wandering cats and offered advice on how to curb the cat’s behaviour in the first instance.

If you have a complaint regarding your neighbour's cat, the following steps are recommended:

• Approach the cat's owner and state your case clearly and politely. Chances are they are unaware of their cat's behaviour.
• If the cat's owner is unapproachable or does not agree that a problem exists, you can contact Community Justice on 1800 990 777, or email them on cjc@justice.nsw.gov.au. This service is free, confidential and voluntary.
• If none of these methods work, contact the Council’s Regulatory Services on (02) 6827 1900.

Educating Owners on Responsible Cat Management

Coonamble Shire Council takes the following steps after receiving a complaint about a nuisance cat.

The owner is advised of the complaint and offered advice on how to curb the cat's behaviour including:

• Education to encourage people to keep their cat indoors.
• Cat curfews.
• Cat proof fences and enclosures.
• Use of housing design to help owners responsibly confine their cat.

Nuisance Cat Order

If a cat is making persistent noise or repeatedly damages anything outside the property on which it is ordinarily kept and further complaints are received, a Nuisance Order may be placed on the cat that remains in place for six months.

Should the cat continue the nuisance behaviour, Council may issue penalty notices for each infraction.

Further non-compliance may see the owner of the cat prosecuted by the Local Court.

Council’s Cat Traps

Residents can hire cat traps from Council for a fee (including a security deposit). Contact Council on (02) 6827 1900 to organise hire. The Cat Trap Hire Form can be downloaded here: