Responsible cat ownership

Two cats are permitted on a 600m2 or greater allotment and only one cat is permitted on an allotment less than 600m2 or on multi-residential premises (ie: units, apartments, townhouses etc). An additional animal permit is required to keep three or more cats on a 600m2 or greater allotment; or two cats on an allotment less than 600m2.

Responsible pet ownership tips

  • containment
  • desex your cat
  • microchipping
  • registration
  • always pick up after your cat
  • regularly worm and vaccinate

Containment saves lives

9 in 10 cats who go missing are never reunited with their owners (based on 2016/2017 data compiled by RSPCA Victoria)

A roaming pet cat kills an average of 186 animals a year, of which, 115 are native

In Australia 390 million animals are killed by domestic cats annually, of which, 241 million are native

Roaming cats contributed to the extinction of more than 20 native species

By keeping cats safe at home, you’re protecting them from harm and helping our precious native wildlife flourish.

"The more time a cat spends safe at home, the less risk of injury or death from road accidents, fighting and disease. A pet cat kept safe at home can live up to 4 times longer than a cat left to roam.” Australian Veterinary Association 2016

Register your pet with council

Local Law No. 2 (Animal Management) 2011 states that all cats over the age of 12 weeks and living in the Mackay region must be registered with Mackay Regional Council.  Cat registration is required each financial year and discounts apply when renewal notices are issued. Registration fees pay for council's Animal Control program (maintaining a pet database, re-uniting lost pets with their owners and Animal Management Centre operating costs). You can register your pet online or at council's Client Service Centres in Mackay, Sarina and Mirani.

Microchipping your cat

If you buy or are given a cat you must:

  • ensure the animal is microchipped (if over the age of eight weeks)
  • register the animal with Mackay Regional Council
  • make sure your contact details on your pet's microchip are up-to-date

How will I know if my cat is microchipped? 

A certificate and details of the microchip registry company should be provided to you by the person who sold or gave you the animal.  You can check that your cat is microchipped with your local vet.

Who can microchip my cat? 

Your local vet should be able to help you or provide you with details of an authorised implanter.

What will happen if my cat is not microchipped and registered? 

You may be liable for an infringement.

What must I do if I sell or give away a cat? 

You must:

  • ensure the animal is microchipped (if over the age of eight weeks) by an authorised implanter
  • provide the buyer with the microchip certificate and details of the licensed microchip registry company.

How will I know if the microchip implanter is an authorised implanter? 

The microchip implanter should have an authorised implanter number issued to them by the Department of Infrastructure and Planning.

What will happen if I sell or give away a cat that is not microchipped? 

You may be liable for an infringement.

Desexing your pet

Cats are prolific breeders and can have two or more litters per year. If a female cat has 11 kittens that remain undesexed, these offspring could produce 11 million kittens in nine years. Making the choice to desex your pet is an important part of responsible pet ownership. The best time to desex your pet is between four and six months of age.

Desexing your pet:

  • prevents uterine infections
  • eliminates unwanted harassment from the opposite sex
  • tends to make animals less aggressive and territorial and less likely to wander and mark their territory
  • reduces registration fees.

What should I do if my cat goes missing?

You should contact council's Animal Management Centre on 1300 MACKAY (622 529).

If council finds your pet and it has a form of identification, registration tag and/or microchip, you will be contacted by a representative from council's Animal Management Centre.

If you're still unable to find your animal we suggest you visit the Pet Search website.

All impounded animals will be held in council's Animal Management Centre  for a minimum of 72 hours.

As a pet owner you are responsible for providing an adequate enclosure and adequate care if you are going away.

If your pet is impounded, you will be required to pay an Animal Management Centre release fee, in addition to a registration fee if it is not currently registered.

Commercial cattery licence

Anyone wanting to operate a cattery or breed or sell cats must have a Commercial Cattery Licence. The number of animals permitted to be housed onsite will be determined by council on a case-by-case basis.

Under this licence you must adhere to the following standards:

  • the cattery must have appropriate planning approvals
  • clean and disinfect all enclosures daily
  • all pet food stored in vermin-proof containers
  • keep a record of all animals sold/given away, vaccination certificates, micro-chipping information
  • micro-chip all animals with the new owner's name and address
  • keep vaccinations up to date
  • isolate any animal found to have a transmissible disease
  • dispose of waste properly
  • all animals to be confined to the premises at all times.

Forms

Factsheets