The draft Domestic Animal Management Plan includes the introduction of a 12-hour night time cat curfew.

On this page we have provided some information on cat curfews and what we have heard previously so that you can engage with an informed opinion.

That Council:

  1. Endorses the draft Domestic Animal Management Plan 2025-2029 for public exhibition for the period 15 September to 12 October 2025 with changes noted at point 2, noting that it includes:
    • An increase in Council’s cat desexing program, focused on areas with the highest levels of nuisance cat complaints
    • Introduction of a night time 12-hour cat curfew (7pm to 7am) from 1 July 2026 with an 8-month grace period
  2. The above is subject to the following changes being made to the draft Domestic Animal Management Plan 2025-2029 before exhibition:
    • Replacing references to introducing a 24-hour cat curfew with a night time cat curfew
    • Authorising the Chief Executive Officer to have text and actions in the draft Domestic Animal Management Plan 2025-2029 amended to reflect this position
    • Adding a further action under Objective 4A: To decrease the number of stray, abandoned and unwanted cats that states: “Undertake design of a possible grant program for low-income residents to help them transition their cats to containment and put it forward for consideration in the 2026/27 Budget” – to be completed in Year 1, and the measure of achievement to be that information is provided to Councillors before end December 2025.

What we heard previously

In 2022 we engaged on a possible cat curfew. We asked about our community's opinion on the introduction of a curfew, whether it should be 24-hours or just at night-time and how we could support people if a curfew was introduced.

We heard from over 1,500 people with most people in favour of a cat curfew of some kind.

The key concerns we heard about cats during this engagement were:

  • Nuisance cats
  • Overpopulation
  • Attacks on wildlife

What the research says

Support for cat caregivers

If a decision is made to introduce a cat curfew we will offer support to assist Merri-bek cats and their humans make the transition.

A cat curfew doesn’t mean your cat has to be only indoors. There are many types of outdoor enclosures, cat runs and strategies to keep your cat safe, active and happy.

Education, advice and support will be made available to help owners and their cats transition to the curfew hours.

Helpful links

  • The RSPCA encourages caregivers to keep their cats indoors and contained. The Keeping Cats Safe at Home campaign aims to reduce the impact that domestic cats have on wildlife. There is information about to help caregivers desex, microchip and register their cats and prevent them from roaming outdoors.
  • Safe Cat Safe Wildlife is a joint initiative between the RSPCA and Zoos Victoria with helpful information and tips for keeping both cats and wildlife safe.

Ready to join the conversation?