Proposed New Cats By-Law
Council decisions/outcomes
During the consultation period in August/September 2024, a total of 609 responses were received. Of these responses 41% indicated they were fully supportive of the draft Cats By-law, 44% were partly supportive and 13% did not support or want a Cats By-law in the City of Tea Tree Gully.
The community engagement outcomes were presented at the Council meeting held on 11 February 2025. At this meeting a formal motion to lay the matter ‘on the table’ was carried. The effect of this was to suspend debate on the matter and a decision on the Cats By-law was not made at this time.
At the Council meeting on 8 April 2025, a Motion without Notice was moved to lift the matter relating to the Cats By-law ‘off the table’. This motion was carried and debate resumed on the matter. Following the debate, Council made the decision to proceed making a Cats By-law.
As part of the Council resolution it was determined that after having considered all submissions and recommendations made on the By-law, no changes ought to be made to the draft Cats By-Law 2024.
Next steps
It is important to note that the Cats By-law is not in operation yet.
The Cats By-law must be published in the Government Gazette and a local newspaper, and be referred to the Legislative Review Committee SA (LRC) for scrutiny. The Committee will consider the by-law but will not report back to Council unless the committee disallows the by-law or has concerns in relation to the by-law
The new Cats By-law is anticipated to come into operation on 17 August 2025 (unless it is disallowed by Parliament).
Further information about the implementation of the Cats By-law
We appreciate there will be residents who may have questions about how the Cats By-law will be implemented and what impact it may have on them. In the coming months we will publish relevant information in our various communications channels to ensure our community is aware of the changes and what resources and supports may be available to assist cat owners and residents.
Read the Frequently Asked Questions available on our website
Read the community engagement outcomes report
Read the Council Meeting minutes - 11 February 2025
Read the Council Meeting minutes – 8 April 2025
Background
We are inviting our community to let us know their views on a proposed new cat by-law for the control and management of cats within the City of Tea Tree Gully (CTTG) Council area.
Councils in South Australia can establish by-laws under the Local Government Act 1999. By-laws are local laws established by councils to deal with issues specific to the relevant council area.
In June 2023, Council consulted with the community to understand views on cat management and control in the City of Tea Tree Gully. Over 3,400 people participated in a survey about their views on cat management and control. The Majority of survey respondents (80%) supported rules or legislation to address cat management and control in CTTG. 58% of those who own or care for a least one cat were supportive.
At a Council meeting in August 2023, Council requested a report with a draft cat by-law if the state government did not progress state-wide cat control legislation by 30 June 2024. Council have long advocated for a state-wide approach to cat management, an issue which has been left to councils to deal with on an individual basis by way of a by-law or not at all.
Council staff initially received the consultation paper “Dog and Cat Management (Breeder Reforms) Amendment Bill 2024” and provided feedback to the state government, noting there was a missed opportunity with the current bill with respect to cat management. Council had understood that the proposed amendments to the Dog and Cat Management Act would include amendments addressing the challenges face by local government about cat management.
Council has received further proposed amendments to the Dog and Cat Management Act through the “Dog and Cat Management (Cat Management) Amendment Bill 2024”. Proposed changes include:
- revising and updating local council powers and functions for seizing and detaining cats to allow councils to implement their by-laws and manage cats
- clarifying the powers and removing barriers for landscape boards, National Parks and other stakeholders to manage feral cats better
There has been some progression on cat management through this latest amendment bill however the proposed legislation is yet to be passed. In the meantime, Council has decided to proceed with community engagement on a draft cat by-law, as per the previous decision of Council in August 2023.
The draft By-law 7 – Cats notes the following requirement for cats:
- Must be registered every 12 months with provision for a registration fee – a $0 fee is proposed for a maximum initial 2-year period
- Identification by means of a collar around the cat’s neck with a tag setting out the name of the owner and address or phone number of the owner
- Prescribing the limit on the number of cats to be kept on premises to two (2) cats (unless in a prescribed premises, ie cattery, veterinary practice, pet shop or with Council permission)
- To be confined to their owner’s property between 10.00pm and 6.00am
The following are already legislated requirements for cats:
- To be microchipped
- Desexed before it is six months old
- Not allow cats to cause a nuisance
Should the Cat By-Law proceed Council’s “Community Safety Policy” would require changes in relation to how Council would deal with cat management.
Council’s “Cat Management Policy” would also likely be revoked given it was established in the absence of a suitable state government approach to cat management and which is now what a cat by-law looks to solve.
Based on legal advice provided to Council, a key change that would need to take place regardless of the introduction of a cat by-law is to cease the practice of trapping cats and providing traps to residents for this purpose.
Links to the relevant Council reports and Council meeting minutes are available on the right hand side of this page.
To get involved and have your say:
- Register here (if you haven't already, otherwise you can sign in when prompted)
- Review the draft By-law No. 7 - Cats
- Provide your feedback by one of the following options:
- Complete the online feedback form
- Email us with your submission/feedback
- Download/fill in a PDF version of the feedback form
- Pick up a paper (hard copy) feedback form from:
- Council's Civic Centre reception, 571 Montague Road, Modbury,
- Tea Tree Gully Library
- Golden Grove or Turramurra Recreation Centres
- A Community Centre (Holden Hill, Surrey Downs or Jubilee)
- Call us 8397 7444 and we'll post a feedback form to you
- Review the FAQs which can be found on the right hand side of this page
- Have a question not already answered in the FAQs? Ask us here
If you need assistance to participate in this consultation, please call us on 8397 7444 or send us a message
All feedback provided will be presented to Council for consideration prior to Council making any decisions about adopting the By-law 7 – Cats.
