MERRI-BEK: Cat curfew adopted

Merri-bek City Council has adopted a cat curfew that will come into effect from 2027.
“Cat curfews aim to improve a cat’s health and lifespan and reduce negative effects on wildlife and the environment,” said a Council representative.
“Curfews can also help address community concerns about cat noise, cats digging in gardens and trespass.
“Merri-bek’s cat curfew will be applied in two ways to help cats and cat owners transition to this method of cat containment.
“An overnight cat curfew (from 7pm to 7am) will apply to all cats that are registered before April 1, 2027.
“This means that any cat already registered with Council or that is registered with Council before April 1, 2027, from April 1, 2027 will need to be confined within the boundaries of their owner’s property between 7pm and 7am every night. and aim to reduce nuisance behaviours.
“All cats that are registered after April 1, 2027, will need to be confined to within the boundaries of their owner’s property for 24 hours a day. Council will run an education campaign to support cat owners through the transition to the curfew.”