Cat management laws

Proposed updates to sections of the Dog and Cat Management Act 1995 will affect how councils manage cats. These changes are in addition to the recent consultation on the Dog and Cat Management (Breeder Reforms) Amendment Bill.

The State Government’s changes are proposed to:

• set out a process for councils when managing seized cats and enabling lost cats to be returned to owners (based on the way councils currently handle seized dogs).
• change powers for the management of cats in key areas of the state, such as primary production, state National Parks and reserves.

It is disappointing the state government has not accepted local government’s advice that state-wide cat management laws are needed. Encouraging a system of individual council by-laws with different rules for cat containment, cat curfews, cat nuisance and wandering at large rules, creates confusion for residents.

LGA has developed a Discussion Paper to help councils understand changes and provide feedback.

Some of the proposed changes include:

• Encourages individual councils to enact cat by-laws, offering a council authorised person additional powers to seize and detain cats.
• Removes provisions that allow members of the public to seize a cat, requiring residents to be approved by an authorised person from council.
• Gives additional powers to council authorised officers to seize and detain a cat, to prevent or stop the contravention of a council by-law.
• Details guidance on how long to detain a cat in a manner similar to dogs.

LGA discussion paper

LGA’s Discussion Paper poses questions to councils to help inform our sector advocacy position on these issues.

Supporting commentary is provided to help councils understand potential implications and support councils in their consideration of the draft Bill.

Make a submission

A public consultation process is now underway via YourSAy.

Councils can provide feedback to the LGA by:

• Reading the State Government’s Explanatory Guide and draft Bill
• Reviewing the FAQ document
• Reading the LGA’s Discussion Guide
• Making a submission to lgasa@lga.sa.gov.au by 19 August 2024.

Your submission will assist the LGA prepare a submission to the Department for Environment and Water.

Public consultation closes on Wednesday 4 September 2024.

Find out more

For more information, please contact:
andrew.lamb@lga.sa.gov.au or kwaku.dankwah@lga.sa.gov.au