Amendments to the Cat Management Act 2009
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Amendments to the
Cat Management Act 2009 are changing the way cats are cared for and managed in Tasmania.
Key amendments are summarised below:
COMMENCING 1 MARCH 2022
Keeping more than four cats
From 1 March 2022, changes to the Cat Management Act 2009 will mean that a person will not be permitted to keep more than four cats over the age of four months on an individual property.
The the limit of four cats does not apply to a person keeping more than four cats, if the person:
holds a Multiple Cat Permit; or
is a registered cat breeder; or
holds a Cat Breeding Permit for all cats in excess of four cats; or
is fostering a cat for a cat management facility or an approved organisation; or
is operating a cat boarding facility or veterinary establishment; or
is minding another person’s cat for less than six months, and the owner does not reside on the individual property, and no payment is made for keeping the cat.
What happens if none of the exceptions apply to me and I already keep more than four cats? Will I have to find new homes for some of my cats?
No. If you have more than four cats over the age of four months, and none of the exceptions apply to your circumstances, you will need to apply for a Multiple Cat Permit.
What happens after I submit an application for a Multiple Cat Permit?
Once your application has been received, you will receive a letter acknowledging that your application for a Multiple Cat Permit has been submitted and you be provided with instructions on next steps. The letter will enable you to be considered to meet the law under the
Cat Management Act 2009 whilst you are waiting for your application to be considered.
If I have more than four cats but don’t have a Multiple Cat Permit on 1 March 2022, will I receive a fine?
Not initially. However, you are advised to apply for a permit as soon as possible. If you fail to make an application, you may be provided with information and advised/required to apply for a Multiple Cat Permit. If you continue to breach the legislation, you may be liable to prosecution under the
Cat Management Act 2009.
How much does a Multiple Cat Permit cost?
There will not be a charge for a Multiple Cat Permit in 2022. This may be subject to change.
Will a rescue or shelter need a Multiple Cat Permit?
Yes. There will be specific Multiple Cat Permit application for animal rescues/shelters. A person who fosters cats for a rescue/shelter (that is not a cat management facility) will not need to apply for a Multiple Cat Permit.
Compulsory microchipping and desexing of cats
From 1 March 2022, all cats over the age of four months must be microchipped and desexed, unless a vet certifies that it would adversely affect the health or welfare of the cat.
For more on microchipping and desexing of cats see Breeding, Buying and Selling Cats FAQs.
Changes to breeder registration
From 1 March 2022, the State Government will no longer be accepting applications for cat breeder registrations. Anyone wishing to breed a cat in Tasmania will be required to be a member of a cat organisation or will have the option of applying for a conditional permit to breed a cat.
For more information on breeder registration see Breeding, Buying and Selling Cats.
The option of a care agreement on the sale of a cat will be removed
From 1 March 2022, a person selling a cat will no longer have the option to enter into a care agreement on the sale of the cat.
From this date, any cat that is to be sold or given away must be at least eight weeks old, desexed and microchipped, wormed and vaccinated prior to sale. In addition, written evidence of the results of a general health check must be provided by a veterinary surgeon.
Exemptions to microchipping will apply where a vet certifies microchipping may adversely affect the health and welfare of the cat; exemptions to desexing will apply if the purchaser is a registered breeder; or where a vet certifies desexing may adversely affect the health and welfare of the cat; or the purchaser is the holder of a cat breeding permit in relation to the cat.
For more information on care agreements see Breeding, Buying and Selling Cats.
COMMENCED 1 MARCH 2021
Reclaiming cats from cat management facilities
(section 24)
A cat that is being cared for at a cat management facility must be microchipped and desexed before being reclaimed from the facility.
Exemptions to microchipping will apply where a vet certifies microchipping may adversely affect the health and welfare of the cat; exemptions to desexing will apply to cats owned by registered breeders for the purpose of breeding or where a vet certifies desexing may adversely affect the health and welfare of the cat.
The costs of microchipping, desexing and care of the cat at the facility are the responsibility of the owner of the cat.
For further information see Cat Management Facilities.
Protection of private land from stray and roaming cats
(section 17)
A person is permitted to trap a cat on their private property provided the trap is checked at least once within every 24-hour period after the trap is first set.
Within 24 hours of a cat being trapped, arrangements must be made for the cat to be either:
returned to its owner; or
taken to a cat management facility; or
taken to a nominee of a cat management facility.
Before setting a trap, a person should first contact a cat management facility to understand the facility’s processes for accepting a cat, operating hours, and any associated fees. You should not take a cat to a cat management facility without contacting the facility first.
Under the Animal Welfare Act 1993, a person who sets a trap is responsible for the care and welfare of any animal that is caught in the trap and has a duty to take all reasonable measures to protect the welfare of the animal.
A person who sets a trap is responsible for the care and welfare of any animal that is caught in the trap and has a duty to take all reasonable measures to protect the welfare of any animal caught in the trap.
Please read the TassieCat Guideline for the rules and processes related to trapping a cat in urban and peri-urban areas.
Please note: all cat management activities must be conducted in accordance with the Cat Management Act 2009 and the Animal Welfare Act 1993. Penalties apply for inhumane activities and other breaches of these Acts.
Humane destruction of cats
A person managing 'primary production land' or occupier of 'production premises' is permitted to humanely destroy a cat on 'primary production land' or at 'production premises'.
Persons undertaking lethal cat management action would need to comply with other relevant legislation, such as the Animal Welfare Act 1993 and the Firearms Act 1996.