Information for Cat Owners

City of Darwin Animal Management team work with the community to care for their pets. If there is a wandering cat in your area our team can conduct a letterbox drop with informative cat ownership flyer.

Targeted Cat Trapping Program

City of Darwin run regular cat trapping programs for problem areas with multiple wandering cats.

If you have a problem with multiple roaming cats in your area we encourage you to contact City of Darwin on (08) 8930 0600.

The program is run by engaging with residents in the area and requesting that they host a cat trap, as cats are trapped our rangers will come to collect the cats and take them to City of Darwin’s Animal Pound.

City of Darwin may declare an area to be a special cat control area to protect biodiversity or wildlife vulnerable to predation by cats.

Cat Traps

Cat traps are available to Darwin residents for the primary purpose of trapping stray or feral cats.

Borrowing Cat Traps

Customers can call the Pound on (08) 8947 2099 to arrange hire of a trap for a 7-day period. All traps are to be collected and returned to City of Darwin Pound – 78 Boulter Road, Berrimah during business hours. A Cat Trap Loan Form will need to be completed.

We hire out cat traps at no charge but should the trap be returned in a damaged condition or not returned at all, you will be charged $180.00 to cover costs.

Please note: that at times of high demand for this service, there may be a waiting list.

Cat trap hire will resume on the 1st of April and will cease the 28th of November due to weather conditions.

Trapped cats must be delivered to the City of Darwin Animal Pound, located at Boulter Road Berrimah.

Neighbourhood Cats

Cats are usually well loved members of a family. However, even a pet cat that is well fed and looked after may still roam and hunt. This means that you may often see your neighbour's cat in your yard.

If you are having problems with a neighbour's cat wandering into your yard, we recommend that you discuss the matter with them first. Where you cannot get in contact or are unable to discuss this with them, please contact us for advice on 08 8930 0606.

Complaints

We have well-established processes designed to resolve issues in a manner that takes into account the needs, rights and responsibilities of all parties involved.

SPECIAL CAT CONTROL AREAS POLICY

Under section 3.9 of City of Darwin’s Animal Management Policy:

Special cat control areas

City of Darwin may declare an area to be a special cat control area to protect biodiversity or wildlife vulnerable to predation by cats. City of Darwin must publish the location and restrictions on cats in any special cat control area it declares.

Cats must be contained within the property boundary of the premises where the cat is usually kept, unless the cat is under effective control. A cat is under effective control, outside the property boundary, if it is restrained by a suitable leash.

If a cat is not contained within the property boundary, and is not under effective control, then, pursuant to By-Law 47 (2) of the Animal Management By-Laws, the owner commits an offence.

Pursuant to By-law 47 Proper containment of dogs and cats,

By-Law 47 (2) a person commits an offence if:

• the person is the owner of a dog or cat; and
• the dog or cat is not properly contained when it is on the premises where it is kept.

Cat containment promotes responsible pet ownership by supporting cat health and reducing the negative impacts of domestic cats on the natural environment. Cat containment is of particular importance in areas identified as ecologically significant.

Council will promote awareness regarding the requirement for cat containment through education campaigns and providing information for owners during the cat registration process.