If you’re thinking about adding a four-legged friend to your family, there are many great reasons to adopt from a rescue organisation!
The WA Government has launched a major public awareness campaign encouraging people looking for a new pet to first consider adopting a dog or cat from an animal shelter or rescue organisation.
RSPCA WA's Pet Sterilisation Program (now open)
Through this program, eligible pet owners who hold a concession card can receive discounted pet sterilisation fees for their cat or dog. The amount of the discount will range, depending on the size and gender of your cat or dog, and at the discretion of the participating vets.
Puppies must be at least 5 months old to be eligible to apply for this program and kittens a minimum of 8 weeks in age. If your animal is under these age brackets, please apply once they are older.
Your chosen vet clinic is subject to change based on individual requirements; this should be checked in your approval email to ensure you contact the correct clinic when you book your sterilisation.
You can learn more about the Pet Sterilisation Program, check your eligibility and make an application by visiting the RSPCA website linked below. Alternatively, contact the Animal Health Centre Donnybrook, who are participating in this program.
GeoCatch & the Catio Rebate Program
The following information comes from GeoCatch.
Do you want to give your cat outdoor access for fresh air, to bask in the sun and to observe the world while still remaining safe on your property? GeoCatch is offering a rebate for cat owners to install a new cat enclosure for their beloved feline. Eligible cat owners need to register for the rebate below and have the enclosure installed by 30 June 2025.
The Catio Rebate Program
The aim of the rebate is to assist cat owners with keeping cats safe and healthy on their properties while having peace of mind in knowing where their cats are at all times. Cat owners will have the confidence to allow their cats outside access while still being mindful of urban wildlife, other pets and neighbours. Of particular interest in the Geographe Bay Catchment is the critically endangered western ringtail possum; a species often found in backyards where it can come into conflict with free-access cats and dogs in urban areas. Cat enclosures are one option for responsible cat owners resulting in a win-win for all!
This project is delivered by GeoCatch, in partnership with Shire of Augusta Margaret River, City of Busselton, Capel Shire and the Shire of Donnybrook Balingup with funding from the Western Australian Government's State Natural Resource Management (NRM) Program.
Did you know?
Contained cats can live up to four times longer than roaming cats, and can live happy, healthy and fulfilled lives if all of their needs are met in the contained environment.
What is a catio?
A catio is a secure outdoor cat enclosure, or “cat patio” for your cat. They are a great way of allowing your cat to enjoy the sights, sounds and smells of the outdoors while keeping them safe and protecting our native wildlife. Cats are healthy and purr-fectly happy in a catio, provided it is designed to deliver mental and physical enrichment.
Top 10 benefits of a catio
Catios will support you and your cat by:
- Protecting your cat from vehicles, poisons, diseases accidents, or getting lost.
- Reducing vet bills from cat fights, ingesting toxins or injuries.
- Protecting birds and wildlife: billions of birds are killed each year by roaming cats.
- Reducing roaming populations and the issues they cause, including more roaming cats.
- Providing a healthy outdoor lifestyle with exercise, fresh air, bird watching, sunbathing, jumping, climbing and running.
- Reducing multi-cat issues with increased territory and multiple options for some ‘alone’ time.
- Enriching cat and human companionship by providing shared healthy outdoor spaces to relax in.
- Reducing indoor odours by giving outdoor toilet options.
- Improving neighbour relations – made easier when your cat stays on your side of the fence!
- Providing you with peace of mind, knowing your cat is safe in a protected and secure environment.
Catios are very common, and we encourage you to consider making one for your own property. GeoCatch also often provides rebates for cat owners who build a catio, so consider signing up to a workshop or mailing list to be notified of an opportunity!
An extensive range of information relating to catios and other resources for cat owners can be found via the links below. More information about the Catio Rebate Program is available below.
Noise Complaints
Complaints about noise from barking dogs are common, and whilst it is impossible to always keep your dog quiet, it is your responsibility to ensure that it does not become a nuisance to your neighbours. If you'd like to try and talk to your neighbour about the problem first, we've made a "Dear Neighbour" letter template for you to use.
"Dear Neighbour" Letter Template
Make a Report
Dog Attacks
The Dog Act includes substantial penalties for all offences and Rangers are required to investigate attacks on people, pets and livestock. The Shire may issue Infringement Notices or instigate prosecutions if appropriate. By investigating dog attacks it ensures that the means to effectively confine your dog exist within your premises and that dangerous dogs are identified and managed accordingly.
If you have experienced a dog attack, please call the Shire immediately.
Contact Us
Impounded Cats & Dogs
Impounded cats and dogs are kept at the pound facility in Donnybrook. If your pet is impounded, fees and charges may apply that cover food and holding them at the pound until you have collected it. Collection requirements may vary, so if your pet is missing please contact the Shire as soon as possible so that our Rangers are aware and can inform you if it is found.
Please note that an impounded cat or dog that has not been registered as required will not be released until a registration is complete. If you would like to discuss further, please contact the Shire and ask to speak with our friendly Rangers.
- If your cat or dog is not registered, you will also be required to pay the applicable registration fee.
- If your cat or dog is not microchipped, you will also be required to prepay for a microchip at your local vet and provide the microchip number at time of registration.
Dog Prohibited Areas
Dogs are prohibited absolutely, subject to Section 8 of the Act and Section 66J of the Equal Opportunity Act 1984, from entering or being in any of the following places:
- Where so indicated by a sign, a public building.
- A theatre or picture gardens.
- All premises or vehicle classified as food premises or food vehicle under the Health (Food Hygiene) Regulations.
- A public swimming pool.
- Within any fenced area set aside as a children’s playground.
If a dog enters or is found in a place in subclause (1), every person liable for the control of the dog is considered as having committed an offence.
Visit one of our dog exercise areas, where you are permitted to have your dog off-lead providing you have it under control:
Dog Exercise Areas
The Cat Act 2011
The following dot points summarise the main requirements for all cat owners outlined in the Cat Act 2011.
- All cats over the age of six months must be sterilised, micro-chipped and registered with the Shire.
- Cats over the age of six months must be sterilised.
- Exemption to this provision may be applicable to approved/registered Cat breeders.
- Cats must be at least twelve weeks of age to be sterilised.
- Cats over the age of six months must be microchipped.
- Cats over the age of six months must be registered with their local government (all registrations are due on 31 October and can be renewed for either one year, three years, or lifetime).
- Cats must wear a collar with identification and registration tags.
View the Cat Act 2011
Wandering Cats
Whilst a cat wandering is not illegal, Council recommends that you contain your cat within the boundaries of your property for its own safety as well as that of other people and animals. There are provisions within the Cat Act for cats causing a nuisance, this can include:
- an activity or condition which is harmful or annoying and which gives rise to legal liability in the tort of public or private nuisance at law;
- an unreasonable interference with the use and enjoyment of a person’s ownership or occupation of land; or
- interference which causes material damage to land or other property on the land affected by the interference.
If your cat is found to be a creating a nuisance, penalties may be issued.