A Multiple Cat Permit - Individual is required by any person who keeps more than four cats over the age of four months where:
- the cat permanently lives at the property (owned or cared for by the person); and
- the person does not keep cats temporarily (unless minding a person cat for less than 6 months and the owner of the cat is not also residing at the property); and
- the person does not rehome cats (unless rehoming a cat owned by the person); and
- none of the other exceptions under the Cat Management Act 2009 apply.
How to apply for a multiple cat permit
Complete the online Multiple Cat Permit - Individual or Foster application form and hit submit.
When completing the application form
- All mandatory fields must be completed.
- Provide evidence of desexing and microchipping for all cats by attaching documentary evidence to the application when submitted or supply by emailing to catmanagement@nre.tas.gov.au within 15 days of submitting the application.
- Declarations must be made honestly.
It is important that the applicant understands all the conditions of the Multiple Cat Permit - Individual (refer below).
If a person needing to hold a Multiple Cat Permit - Individual is unable to meet all the conditions of the permit, an application can still be submitted. In the ‘additional information’ section on the application form, identify which condition/s cannot currently be met and what actions are being taken to be able to meet all the conditions. Once the application is received, the Department of Natural Resources and Environment Tasmania (NRE Tas) will contact the applicant to discuss the circumstances.
Conditions of a Multiple Cat Permit - Individual
The issuing of a Multiple Cat Permit - Individual is subject to the applicant meeting the conditions detailed below. All conditions must be met. Failure of the permit holder to meet any one condition may result in the multiple cat permit being revoked and/or a fine being issued:
- Desexing of cats: All cats kept under a multiple cat permit must be desexed. Evidence in the form of a desexing certificate, a letter from a veterinary surgeon, or another accepted form of evidence, must be provided to an authorised person on request. Exceptions to this condition are in accordance with section 14(2) of the Cat Management Act 2009.
- Microchipping of cats: All cats kept under a multiple cat permit must be microchipped. Evidence in the form of a current microchip registration, or another accepted form of evidence, must be provided to an authorised person on request. Exceptions to this condition are in accordance with section 12(2) of the Cat Management Act 2009.
- Cats to be contained on the individual property: All cats kept under a multiple cat permit must not be permitted to enter or remain in any other property or premises without permission from the owner or occupier of the property.
- Exceeding permitted number of cats: The number of cats kept on the property must not exceed the number for which the multiple cat permit is granted. Exceptions to this condition are in accordance with section 16A(3)(b) – (f) of the Cat Management Act 2009.
- Health conditions: Living conditions at the identified property must not cause, or be likely to cause, danger or harm to the health and safety or welfare of any cat or person residing at the identified property.
- Comply with legislation and by-laws: All cats kept under a multiple cat permit must be kept in accordance with the requirements of the Cat Management Act 2009, the Animal Welfare Act 1993, relevant subordinate legislation and relevant municipal council by-laws in relation to the keeping of animals.
- Permission for inspection: The permit holder must make the premises (including residential buildings) available for inspection by an authorised person at any reasonable time deemed necessary by a person authorised under the Cat Management Act 2009.
- Production of multiple cat permit: A valid multiple cat permit must be retained and produced for inspection by arrangement at the request of a person authorised under the Cat Management Act 2009.
- Update NRE Tas: The permit holder must advise the Department of Natural Resources and Environment Tasmania (NRE Tas) of any changes to their contact details (including phone number, email and postal address), the address the cats are being kept, and any changes to the cats listed on the permit within 14 days by emailing catmanagement@nre.tas.gov.au or phoning 1300 368 550.
The Secretary Department of Natural Resources and Environment Tasmania, may vary or cancel a multiple cat permit, as per Section 16C and 16D of the Cat Management Act 2009.
The Secretary NRE Tas, may vary or cancel a multiple cat permit, as per Section 16C and 16D of the
Cat Management Act 2009.
Types of evidence that can be provided as proof of desexing and microchipping
Evidence of desexing may include:
- Sterilisation certificate issued and/or signed by a registered veterinarian.
- Certificate of desexing issued and/or signed by a registered veterinarian.
- Invoice identifying the cat by name and/or microchip number where one of the items on the invoice is spaying or desexing.
- Microchip registration certificate (or document) that identifies the cat as being desexed/neutered/spayed. (Can be obtained through the microchip registration database the cat’s microchip is registered to).
- Letter from a registered veterinarian stating that they have observed the desexing tattoo in the left ear of the cat identified by name and microchip number or they are able to determine (in any other way they are comfortable with) that the cat is desexed.
- Pet passport for the cat which identifies the cat is desexed (name and/or microchip number of the cat must be shown on the same page).
Evidence of microchipping may include:
- Sterilisation certificate or desexing certificate issued or signed by a registered veterinarian which includes the microchip number as well as the name of the cat.
- Invoice from a veterinary surgeon for the cat that identifies the microchip number as well as the name of the cat.
- Vaccination documentation for the cat that identifies the microchip number as well as the name of the cat.
- Microchip registration Certificate (or document) from the microchip registration database the cat’s microchip is registered to.
- Letter from a registered veterinarian or document on veterinarian/clinics letterhead with the microchip number against the cat’s name.
Important information:
If a cat’s name has changed from the name on any of the pieces of evidence, please ensure this is communicated on the application form.
How long will it take for my application to be assessed?
The initial assessment of a multiple cat permit will occur within approximately two (2) weeks of an application being submitted. There may be times that this timeframe is extended due to resourcing limitations.
Once the initial assessment has been conducted, the following steps will be taken:
- The applicant will be contacted by email or phone to arrange for a public notice to be published/displayed to inform their intention to hold a multiple cat permit. See information on the multiple cat permit page for further information on the public notice, how it is to be displayed and who will provide the notice. The duration of the notice display, and objection period is no less than 14 days.
- NRE Tas will contact the relevant local government for which the application is located to consult on the application. The issuing of a multiple cat permit cannot result in a breach of a by-law enforced by the municipal local government. Local governments are given 30 days to respond to the consultation.
- NRE Tas may need to contact other stakeholders to assist with the assessment of the multiple cat permit application.
- NRE Tas during the assessment phase may require further information or conduct a site visit to gather further information to assess an application.
Once an application has been assessed, the applicant will be notified of the outcome in writing.
Cancellation or updating the details of a Multiple Cat Permit - Individual
It is a condition of the multiple cat permit that the permit holder must advise NRE Tas of any changes to their contact details (including phone number, email and postal address), the address the cats are being kept, and any changes to the cats listed on the permit within 14 days by emailing catmanagement@nre.tas.gov.au or phoning 1300 368 550.
If the holder of a multiple cat permit (individual) is no longer keeping more than four (4) cats, due to cats being rehomed or natural attrition, an email can be sent to catmanagement@nre.tas.gov.au with the multiple cat permit number in the subject line. The email should provide the following details: - An update/overview of what has changed since the multiple cat permit was granted.
- Identifying how many cats (if any) are still in the applicant’s care and the names of the cats that have passed away or been rehomed.
Once it has been confirmed that a multiple cat permit is not required, NRE Tas will arrange for the multiple cat permit to be cancelled.
If the holder of a multiple cat permit-Individual is keeping cats in excess of the number of cats permitted under their permit (due to owning extra cats or becoming a foster carer and temporarily keep cats), a new Multiple Cat Permit - Individual or Foster application needs to be completed. Include the existing multiple cat permit number in the ‘additional information’ section of the application form. To determine which multiple cat permit application form needs to be completed refer to the multiple cat permit page.
If the holder of a multiple cat permit-Individual has moved or is moving to a new address and are keeping more than four (4) cats over the age of four (4) months, you will need to submit a new multiple cat permit application. To determine which multiple cat permit application form needs to be completed refer to the multiple cat permit page. Send an email to catmanagement@nre.tas.gov.au advising of this change. NRE Tas will arrange for their existing permit to be cancelled.
Want an update on your multiple cat permit application?
If you would like an update on the status of your multiple cat permit application is, email catmanagement@nre.tas.gov.au.
For further information