The Shire of Collie has recently been focusing on compliance with the Cat Act 2011. This Act requires that all cats more than 6 months old are microchipped, sterilised and then registered with the Shire. The purpose of this is to encourage responsible pet ownership and aims to reduce the number of unwanted cats in the community. Microchipping and registration will ensure that your cat is returned to you if it becomes lost.

By registering all owned cats, any unowned cats can be captured and either rehomed or humanely destroyed. In addition, the requirement for all cats to be sterilised will reduce the number of cats born to owned cats. Cat registration costs are:

• Annual $20
• 3 year $42.50
• Lifetime $100

Concession card holders receive a 50% discount on registration fees.

Special cat breeding registrations costing $100 are available from the Shire. These are valid for 12 months and does not remove the requirement that each cat must be individually microchipped and registered regardless of sex.

The Cat Act also introduces fines of $200 for each unregistered cat. The owners of any unregistered cat that is found wondering by the Shire will be contacted and fined. If it is not possible for the Shire to contact the owner, the cat will be treated as unowned and either rehomed or humanely destroyed.

If you are unsure if your cat is registered, or would like more information please call the Shire at 08 9734 9000 and Shire Rangers at 0408 931 274. If you wish to register your cat, please visit the Shire offices at 87 Throssell Street, Collie.