Multiple Cat Permits - Frequently Asked Questions

​​​​​​​​​​​​​Who should apply for a Multiple Cat Permit?

The Cat Management Act 2009 limits the number of cats a person is allowed to keep on an individual property to four cats over the age of four months.


The limit does not apply to a person keeping more than four (4) cats if the person:

  • holds a valid Multiple Cat Permit; or

  • is a registered cat breeder; or

  • holds a Cat Breeding Permit in relation to 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 of the cat does not reside on the individual property, and no payment is made for keeping the cat.

If a person has more than four cats over the age of four months, and none of the other exceptions listed above apply to their circumstances, they are to apply for a Multiple Cat Permit​. There are two different application forms:

Wh​​at if I had more than four cats before this law was introduced? 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 other exceptions apply to your circumstances, you will need to apply for a Multiple Cat Permit. Once your application for a Multiple Cat Permit has been received, you will receive a letter advising that you are considered to be compliant with the requirements of the Cat Management Act 2009 while you are waiting for your application to be assessed. It is important that you can meet all the conditions of the permit or can demonstrate that you are working towards meeing all the conditions of the permit.

How many cats should I include in my permit application?

The permit application must reflect the all cats living or being kept on the premises. For example:​

  • ​If you six cats, your application should be for all six cats.

  • If you are a foster carer for a Cat Management Facility, and you also have five of your own cats, your application should be for the five cats you own (do not include the foster cats).

  • If you hold a Cat Breeding Permit​ for one cat, and you have an additional five non-breeding cats, the Multiple Cat Breeding Permit application should be for the five non-breeding cats.​ Add the name of the cat that is on the cat breeding permit and cat breeding permit number in the additonal information section of the application form. 

Note: If you have cat under the age of four months at the time of your application, and your intention is to keep the cat after it turns four months of age, include it in your Multiple Cat Permit application. This means you will not have to submit another application after the cat turns four months of age. 


I have had more than four cats for years, why do I need to have a permit to have them now?

Allowing people to keep an unlimited number of cats at a property can result in animal welfare concerns for the cats, health issues for the owner, nuisance issues for neighbours, and potentially increase the number of cats roaming and contributing to the stray and/or feral population.

​ Changes to the Cat Management Act 2009 that came into effect on 1 March 2022, limits the number of cats a person can keep on an individual property to four cats over the age of four months. This means that whilst you may have had your cats for a number of years, if you wish to continue to keep more than four cats over the age of four months you will need to meet one of the exceptions above or apply for a Multiple Cat Permit.


Is there a limit to the number of cats that can be included in an application for a Multiple Cat Permit?​​

No. However, the applicant needs to be able to demonstrate to the issuing authority that the health and welfare needs of the cats, and all the conditions of the Multiple Cat Permit​ can be met before a permit will be granted.


What evidence can I use to prove my cat is desexed?

The following documents may be used to provide evidence of desexing:

  • a sterilisation certificate from a veterinary surgeon; or

  • a letter from a veterinary surgeon stating the cat has been desexed, or the cat has a desexing tattoo indicating the cat has been desexed; or

  • a microchip registration document that identifies the cat as desexed or sterilised.

All documents must identify the cat by name (and microchip number if possible). Providing false information on these or any other documents may result in your application for a permit being denied or cancelled.​


I don’t have desexing documents at the moment for all or some of my cats. What do I do?

An application should still be submitted. Documents can be provided later by emailing them to catmanagement@nre.tas.gov.au. If documents have not been received by the time your application is assessed, an authorised person will contact you.


What is the ‘notice' I am required to publish?

A person applying for a multiple cat permit is required to display a notice by doing one or more of the following:

  • Placing the notice at the main entry point to the individual property to which the application relates for no less than 14 days from the advised date. The notice must be placed so that it is visible, and can be easily read by people passing by.

  • Causing the notice to be published in a daily newspaper circulating within the municipal area in which the individual property to which the permit relates is situated. (This is at the cost of the applicant)

A person who resides on, or owns, land within 200m of the boundary of an applicant’s property, may submit an objection to a permit being issued. The notice for publication will be sent to an applicant with details of where and when it needs to be displayed after their application for a permit has been received.​

​During the 14-day publication period, the location details of the property will be placed on the NRE Tas webpage: Making an objection to an application for a Multiple cat Permit.​


I can’t m​​eet all the conditions of the permit. What do I do?

An applicant should still submit an application even if they are currently unable to meet all the conditions of the permit, as time will be afforded to applicants to meet the conditions of the permit.


Will a rescue or shelter need a Multiple Cat Permit?

Yes. Animal rescues and shelters will need to complete an Application for a Multiple Cat Permit - Organisation.


Do foster carers have to apply for a Multiple Cat Permit?

A person who is part of a fostering program managed by a Cat Management Facility or an approved organisation is exempt from the limit to the number of cats that are kept on their property, provided the cats are part of the foster program.


A person that is part of a fostering program managed by a rescue/shelter that is not a Cat Management Facility does not have to apply for a Multiple Cat Permit​ if the rescue/shelter has a valid Multiple Cat Permit - Organisation, as any foster carers will be covered by the rescue/shelter's permit.

If the rescue/shelter for which you are fostering cats does not have a Multiple Cat Permit​, you will need to ask the rescue/shelter to submit an application for a permit.

​ Any foster carer who has more than four cats over four months of age that they own, in addition to cats kept as part of a foster program, will need to apply for a Multiple Cat Permit - Individual for their own cats.


​General conditions of a Multiple Cat Permit

All Multiple Cat Permits will be subject to General Conditions that MUST be complied with. The Agency Secretary or the General Manager of the relevant municipal council may also grant a Multiple Cat Permit with one or more special conditions in addition to the General Conditions.

​ Permit holders should be aware that failure to comply ​with any special or general conditions listed on the permit may result in the cancellation or non-renewal of the permit and possible fines being issued.​

​

Can additional cats be placed on an existing Multiple Cat Permit?

If you hold a valid Multiple Cat Permit and you have an addition to your cat family, you will need to submit a new application for a multiple cat permit. In the new application place in the further information section your existing multiple cat permit number.

​ A copy of proof of desexing and microchipping of the new cat will need to be provided by emailing catmanagement@nre.tas.gov.au or by attaching it to the application form.


Can a Multiple Cat Permit be transferred to another person or property?

A Multiple Cat Permit​ is not transferable from person to person, nor are they transferable from property to property. Therefore, if a person transfers ownership of a cat on their permit to someone who already has four cats over four months of age, the Multiple Cat Permit​ is not transferable, and the new owner will need to apply for their own Multiple Cat Permit​.

​ If a person moves to another property and wishes to retain their Multiple Cat Permit​, a new application will need to be submitted.

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Who can grant an application for a Multiple Cat Permit?

The Cat Management Act 2009 provides for a person to make an application for a Multiple Cat Permit to either the Agency Secretary, or to the General Manager of their municipal coun​​cil​.


My neighbour has applied for a Multiple Cat Permit. Can I object?

A person who resides on, or owns land within 200m of the property boundary of a person applying for a Multiple Cat Permit can object in writing to the application within 14 days of the applicant publishing the notice of their intention to hold a Multiple Cat Permit. Applications to which the 14-day public notice period apply are listed on our webpage Objections to an Application for a Multiple Cat Permit. Objections can be submitted using the form located on that page.


If I have had over four cats for quite a while. I apply for a multiple cat permit now, will I be fined for not applying sooner?

No. However, you are advised to apply for a permit as soon as possible. If you fail to make an application, you run the risk of compliance action being taken due to not complyiing with the Cat Management Act 2009​, which may include a fine. 

​I already have four cats but I want to get another one. Should I apply for a multiple cat permit before I get the 5th cat?

​The Cat Management Act 2009 does not allow for a multiple cat permit to be given to a person who does not exceed the limit of four cats. You will need to wait until you have the 5th cat in your care or at a minimum signed or have a purchase agreement for the cat, before you submit your application for a multiple cat permit.​

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What​​​ happens after an application for a Multiple Cat Permit is submitted?​

Once an applicant has submitted an application they will receive an email advising that their application was submitted. The email will enable the applicant to be considered to have met the requirements under the Cat Management Act 2009​ whilst they are waiting for their application to be considered. Further correspondence will follow with information relating to the display of a public notice identifying their intention to hold a Multiple Cat Permit. If clarification is needed in regard to an application, an authorised person will make contact with the applicant to ensure that a complete and accurate assessment of the application can be achieved. Once an application has been assessed, the applicant will be notified in writing of the outcome.


Why is there a requirement to display a public notice identifying an intention to apply for a Multiple Cat Permit?

The Cat Management Act 2009 provides for any person residing on, or owning, land within 200m of the boundary of the property of an applicant of a Multiple Cat Permit, to submit an objection to NRE Tas Secretary or the General Manager of their municipal coun​​cil.​ An objection must be made in writing within 14 days of the applicant publishing a notice of their intention to hold a Multiple Cat Permit. Reasons for the objection must be clearly set out.


How will an application for a Multiple Cat Permit be processed?

Once an application has been received, the applicant will receive an email acknowledging that the application for a Multiple Cat Permit has been submitted.

The applicant will then receive further correspondence with information of the requirement for them to publish a notice advising of their intention to hold a Multiple Cat Permit by displaying/publlishing the notice:

  • at the main entry points to the property for no less than 14 days from the identified date, and/or

  • in a newspaper that circulates in the municipality of which the relevant property resides (this is at the applicants cost).​

A notice on behalf of the applicant will also be placed on the NRE Tas website:

​Objections to an Application for a Multiple Cat Permit

An authorised person from the relevant municipal council or Biosecurity Tasmania, may conduct an inspection during the 14 days that a person has the notice displayed at the main entry point of their property.

In assessing an application, objections to the issuing of the Multiple Cat Permit from owners or residents of properties within 200m of the boundary of the applicant’s property, will be taken into consideration.

An authorised person from the relevant municipal council or Biosecurity Tasmania, may make contact with the applicant if there are any details that need to be clarified.

The NRE Tas Secretary will consult wiht the general maanager of the relevant municipal council when considering a multiple cat permit application, and vice versa if council is considering issuing a multiple cat permit.

As deemed appropriate, any other relevant stakeholder may be contacted to ensure the issuing of a multiple cat permit is appropriate under the circumstances.

​ The granting of a Multiple Cat Permit must not be in contravention of any relevant by-laws or other legislation.​

How will a decision be reached?

In reaching a decision as to whether to grant a Multiple Cat Permit and what conditions will apply, either the Agency Secretary or the General Manager of the relevant municipal council will consider:​

  • any relevant objections;​

  • the site visit report (as required);

  • if the applicant is a fit and proper person to hold a Multiple Cat Permit​;

  • if it is appropriate in all circumstances to grant the application;

  • the welfare of the cats and the suitability of the living conditions;

  • the ability of the applicant to comply with the conditions of the permit;

  • the likelihood of the cats creating a nuisance;

  • an applicant's capacity to care for the specified number of cats.

Once a decision has been made, the applicant will be notified, in writing, of the outcome of their application.


How long will my Multiple Cat Permit be valid for?

A Multiple Cat Permit may be valid for up to three years. This will be determined by the Agency Secretary or the General Manager of the relevant municipal coun​​cil​.

Can an application for a Multiple Cat Permit be refused?​

An application for a Multiple Cat Permit​ may be denied if it is the opinion that:

If an application is refused, the applicant will be provided with a notice of the refusal and written reasons for the refusal.

Can a Multiple Cat Permit be cancelled before its expiry date?

A permit may be cancelled or varied at any time if the Agency Secretary or the General Manager of the relevant municipal coun​​cil​​​ is satisfied that:​

  • the provisions of the Cat Management Act 2009​ or any other relevant Act are not being complied with; or

  • the general and/or special conditions of the permit have not been met; or

  • the situation or condition of the premises is such that the cats are creating a nuisance; or

  • laws relating to public health and environmental protection are not being complied with; or

  • a person is convicted of an offence under the Animal Welfare Act 1993; or

  • in contravention of relevant local government by-laws; or

  • a complaint is received and follow up investigation find on reasonable grounds an offence has or is occurring.

Notification in writing will be given in this instance, allowing the holder of the permit to make submissions as to why the permit should not be cancelled. All submissions, if any, will be considered.​

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Can my application be denied when it is being renewed?

A renewal may be denied if:

  • the number of cats being kept on the property is more than the initial permit has been granted; or

  • the holder of the permit fails to provide all the relevant information to renew the permit.

  • new By-laws have been established since you last applied and issuing a multiple cat permit would be in breach of the new By-law.

  • the conditions of the permit are not or cannot be met.

(If the number of cats is over four but less than the original permit was issued for, when a renewal is completed, the new permit will be issued for the number of cats being kept on the property at the time of the renewal (provided it is less than the permit being renewed).


Review of decision

A person who is aggrieved by a decision of the Agency Secretary or the General Manager of their local coun​​cil​​, may under Section 16D of the Cat Management Act 2009 apply to the Magistrates Court (Administrative Appeals Division) for a review of that decision.

Contact

Invasive Species Branch

Phone: 03 6165 3777