A Guide to Keeping Cats in Dalby
Keeping a pet is a big responsibility. In particular, improperly controlled cats can often cause many problems in urban areas around town, and are also a threat to native wildlife.

Council has prepared this guide to help inform all cat owners of their responsibilities, and to help everyone comply with the Council's Local Laws. Please keep this guide for future reference.

Numbers Per Household
Under Council's Local Law, people living in residential areas of town are restricted to have two (2) cats per household.

Responsibilities
Keeping any pet is a big responsibility; feeding them, taking them to the vet and generally caring for them. Under Council's Local Laws cat keepers are expected to control their cats, and should not allow them to wander.

Problem cats have the potential to cause much annoyance to others, for example, they may fight other cats and cause significant injuries, or even cause unwanted litters. Wandering cats are even a threat to themselves, especially if you live near a busy road.

Council will impound problem cats when they are wandering, causing a nuisance and where the matter is reported to Council (unless a cat is obviously a feral cat.) Unfortunately Council can only keep cats for a minimum of three (3) working days, cats not claimed by their keepers after three (3) days will be euthanased.

A Few Tips for the Keeping of Cats...

• All cats should have a collar and a bell on their collar to warn off any birds or wildlife that the cat may prey on.
• Kitty Litter should not be dumped straight onto the grass or in the garden. Instead, it should be buried properly or otherwise disposed of to avoid generating any offensive odours.
• Make sure that you place all of your contact information on your cats collar. See if you can engrave your details into to collar, with a knife or other sharp object or purchase a light coloured collar and use a permanent marker. Otherwise, if this doesn't work purchase a nametag. Council also recommends implanting a microchip to help identify your pet. This way, if your cat is impounded, Council can contact you.
• Make sure that your cat is desexed. It really is not that expensive and will save many problems.
• Speak to your neighbours if you are concerned about your cat wandering. Hopefully this will avoid any future complaints if you establish a good relationship with your neighbours.
• If you are still worried about your cat wondering, many vets are now recommending enclosing your cat in a netted outdoor enclosure (these nets look similar to indoor cricket nets). These nets give your cat plenty of room to play, explore, shelter and to protect your cat from other cats and prevent wandering. If your house has a verandah, a good idea would be to attach some nets to the verandah, so your cat can roam around both inside and outside.

CONTACT DETAILS FOR DALBY TOWN COUNCIL

Health Department: (07) 4672 1151
Town Ranger (Animal Complaints etc.): 0418 790 543