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Information for Cat Owners

Cat Management in Tasmania | Information for Cat Owners | Breeding and Selling Cats in Tasmania | Councils and Cat Management Facilities
| Controlling Stray and Feral Cats

Responsible ownership of a cat goes beyond ensuring you care for and feed your cat. As the owner of a cat you should ensure it is microchipped and desexed.

Microchips, implanted under a cat’s skin, are about the size of a grain of rice and use a unique identification number to identify you as your cat’s owner. This makes it faster and easier for you to be reunited with your cat if your cat is missing. Once the Cat Management Act 2009 comes into effect, all cats sold or given away must be microchipped unless a veterinary surgeon issues an exemption certificate based on health or welfare concerns.

Desexed cats make better pets. Desexing has health and behaviour benefits, and reduces the risk of your pet contributing to the population of unwanted cats that may become feral and pose a risk to Tasmania's environment and agricultural sector. Once the Cat Management Act 2009 commences, all cats sold or given away must be desexed. Cats kept by registered breeders or covered by a certificate issued by a veterinary surgeon stating that desexing should not occur on health or welfare grounds are exempt from this requirement.

The Cat Management Act 2009 aims to ensure cats do not impact on the environment or join the feral cat population. It is an offence to abandon a cat and land owners and managers may act to control cats found on their land.

Local councils may introduce by-laws requiring registration of cats within their area as well as declare 'prohibited areas' and 'cat management areas' where certain control activities may occur. Many public areas, such as Reserves under the Nature Conservation Act 2002 (eg National Parks) and Forestry Act 1920 (eg State Forests), are automatically designated as 'prohibited areas' for cats. Cats found in these areas may be trapped, seized or humanely destroyed.

Any person may sell a cat but there are requirements for desexing and microchipping of cats before sale. All cat breeders in Tasmania must be registered - either as an individual or as a member of an approved cat organisation. Ask for proof of registration if buying from a breeder and help promote responsible cat ownership and breeding. See Breeding and Selling Cats in Tasmania.

Further Information:

Cat Ownership in Tasmania - Fact Sheet
(PDF: 281 KB / 1 page)

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Contact: Invasive Species Enquiries

Invasive Species Branch
171 Westbury Road
PROSPECT TAS 7250
Phone: 03 6336 5320
Fax: 03 6336 5453
Email: invasivespecies@dpipwe.tas.gov.au

Cat Management in Tasmania

Breeding and Selling Cats

Tasmania Online | Service Tasmania

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