Information about the Cat Act 2011.
The Cat Act 2011 (the Cat Act) provides for the control and management of cats and to promote the responsible ownership of cats.
The Cat Act requires the identification, registration and sterilisation of pet cats, and gives local governments the power to administer and enforce the legislation.
The Department of Local Government, Industry Regulation and Safety (LGIRS) is responsible for conducting statutory reviews of the Cat Act.
The Cat Act was last reviewed in 2019.
This review will build on the feedback gathered in 2019 and will seek to identify further opportunities for improvement.
The Cat Act covers the following key topics:
Feedback is sought on these topics and more, and can be provided via the online submission form or via a separate written submission which can be posted or emailed.
People are encouraged to provide their views and insights on the Cat Act 2011 as well as related cat management approaches that have been successful in other Australian states and territories.
Feedback can be provided via the online submission form below.
Written submissions via email or post are also accepted.
Email: lgpolicy@lgirs.wa.gov.au
Post: Cat Act Review 2026
Department of Local Government, Industry Regulation and Safety
Locked Bag 14 Cloisters Square
WA 6850
Submissions close 5pm, Monday, 31 August 2026
Important note: The State Government is currently progressing the drafting of legislative amendments to enable local governments to make cat containment local laws.
Under the Cat Act 2011 (the Cat Act), a cat that is six months of age or older must be microchipped, registered with the local government in whose district the cat ordinarily lives, and the owner of the cat must ensure their cat is wearing a registration tag in public places.
Under the Cat Act Regulations 2012, a person can register their cat for either one year, three years or for the cat’s lifetime.
Under the Cat Act, cats must be sterilised by six months of age unless exempt.
Under the Cat Act, any person who wishes to breed cats must apply for and obtain approval to breed. Only approved cat breeders are permitted to breed cats.
The feedback gathered from this consultation will be analysed by LGIRS and presented to the Minister for Local Government.
The review report will also be tabled in Parliament and made available on the WA Parliament’s website.