Roaming Cats

According to the Companion Animals Act 1998, cats are considered ‘free-roaming animals” which means they are allowed to roam in public places and onto private property without being confined to the owner’s property. Cats can cover a wide territory and will generally return to their home. Upper Hunter Shire Council (UHSC) is unable to collect cats as it is difficult to tell a stray from a pet.

Under the Companion Animals Act a cat may only be lawfully seized in the following circumstances:

  • If a cat is in a public place prohibited under the Act (eg food preparation/consumption area or wildlife protection area) (section 30(1) (a)(b))
  • If seizing the cat is reasonable and necessary for the protection of any person or animal (other than vermin) from injury or death (section 32(1))

What to do: if you seize a cat under (section 32(1))

If you seize a cat, and the cat has a collar with identification tags, contact the owner directly and return the cat as soon as possible.

  • Door knock around the area to ask if the cat belongs to a neighbour.
  • Use social media such as local Facebook groups.
  • If the cat is friendly and will come to you attach a paper collar: Download template(PDF, 134KB)
  • If there are no tags and you have been unable to locate the owner, safely transport the cat in a secure carrier to your Local Vet or Upper Hunter Shire Council (appointment required) to be scanned for a microchip.
  • If the cat cannot be identified, you must take it to an approved animal welfare organisation (such as the ⁠RSPCA or ⁠Animal Welfare League NSW) as soon as possible.
  • It is illegal to injure, harm, or abandon the cat. Failure to deliver a seized cat to the appropriate authorities can lead to fines up to $3,300.

Council reserves the right to refuse roaming cats that have not been lawfully seized.

If the animal is injured or unwell the animal is required to be treated by the receiving vet (as per Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act 1979 (POCTA).

 Locations in the Upper Hunter Shire LGA Operating Hours   Contact Number
Pet Medical Scone
106 Liverpool St, Scone, NSW, 2337		 Monday - Friday: 8:00am to 6:00pm
Saturday - Sunday: Closed		 (02) 6544 3201
Emergency Service: (02) 6541 1555
Merriwa Vetinary Surgery
86 Bettington St, Merriwa, NSW, 2329		  Monday - Thursday: 9:00am to 5:00pm
Closed: Friday, Saturday and Sunday		  (02) 6548 2452
For Emergency Services between 9:00am - 5:00pm on weekends, call coolah Vetinary Clinic (02) 6377 1258.
For Emergency Service between 5:00pm - 8:00am, we recommend calling your nearest Veterinary Clinic.
Satur Vet Clinic
69 New England Hwy, Aberdeen, NSW, 2336 		 Monday - Friday: 9:00am - 5:00pm
Saturday: 9:00am - 12:00pm
Sunday: Closed 
 (02) 6543 7111 

 

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