Registration and microchipping play a crucial role in reuniting lost cats with owners.
Registration and renewal requirements
Cats may be registered for a period of one year, three years, or lifetime. Cat registration requirements include:
- All cats must be registered, sterilised and microchipped from the age of six months.
- Your cat must wear a collar displaying a council registration tag.
- It is also recommended you include a name tag with owner’s name and contact number attached to the cat’s collar.
- Cats cannot be registered without proof of microchipping and sterilisation.
- Providing an alternative contact person when registering your cat is recommended. This can provide City Officers with an alternative contact if your cat has been found and you are not contactable.
- Some cats may be exempt from microchipping due to circumstances such as advanced age or other factors. In these instances, proof of a microchip exemption must be provided in writing from a registered veterinarian.
- Animals registered for one year or three years, are required to renew their registration on 31 October in the year of registration expiry.
How to register your cat
Register your cat:
- Online: Complete either of the following online forms:
- In person: Visit the Customer Care Centre, City of Joondalup, 90 Boas Avenue, Joondalup WA 6027
- Mail: Download and complete the registration form below and mail to City of Joondalup, PO Box 21, Joondalup WA 6919.
Important information: for renewal of cat registrations only, you will require the animal number allocated to your cat as displayed on your registration renewal letter.
Cat registration fees
Cat registration fees as of November 2013.
| Fee type | 1 year | 3 year | Lifetime |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full fees | $20 | $42.50 | $100 |
| Pensioner concession* | $10 | $21.25 | $50 |
*Pensioner concessions apply to holders of the following cards:
- Pension Concession Card (issued by Centrelink or Department of Veteran Affairs) or
- State Concession Card or
- A WA Seniors Card together with a Commonwealth Seniors Health Card.
Healthcare cards and Department of Veterans Affairs Gold, White and Orange Cards are not accepted.
A copy of current concession card(s) must be submitted at the time of application for concessions to be applied.
Manage your cat’s details
If you have moved and need to update details of an existing registration, please complete the Amend Cat or Dog Registration Details Form.
Important information: If you are moving to another local government outside of the City of Joondalup, you must register your cat with them. The remaining period of registration is transferrable between local governments in Western Australia. Registrations cannot be transferred outside of WA.
It is the animal owners’ responsibility to complete the transfer of ownership form within 28 days of selling or giving a cat away. To transfer cat ownership, please complete the Amend Cat or Dog Registration Details Form.
Important note: It is an offence to sell or give away a cat that is not registered, microchipped and sterilised.
Whilst losing a pet can be distressing, as difficult as this time may be, you will need to advise the City within 28 days of your pets’ passing. Providing this information assists the City with updating records and alleviates the possible upset of receiving a registration reminder.
To notify the City, please complete the Amend Cat or Dog Registration Details Form.
Replacement registration tags can only be issued if the registration of the cat is current.
Tags for cats not currently registered
If your cat is not currently registered with the City, please click the relevant link below:
- Your cats registration has expired, you will need to complete the New Registration Application for a Cat Form and pay the appropriate fee.
- Your cat has never been registered with the City, please complete the New Registration Application for a Cat Form and pay the appropriate fee.
Tags for cats currently registered
If your registration is current, you can request a replacement registration tag:
- Online: complete the Request for Replacement Registration Tag Form.
- In person: visit the Customer Care Centre, City of Joondalup, 90 Boas Avenue Joondalup WA 6027
- By phone: call 9400 4000.
Cat breeders, or those who are planning to become breeders, must apply for a cat breeding permit under the Cat Act 2011.
Conditions apply to the assessment and approval of an application, including annual inspections of the home.
Approved applicants are issued a Cat Breeder Certificate, valid for 12 months from the date of approval. All cat breeding approvals require an annual renewal and inspection. Penalties for unapproved cat breeding apply and can range from $200 to $5,000.00.
Requirements for breeding cats
Before submitting your application, you must first inform your neighbours of your intention to become a cat breeder. All applicants must provide the following information:
- The proposed number of litters for each Queen (female cat) per year.
- A breeding management plan for all cats and kittens, including veterinary care.
- How you intend to dispose of waste materials (Soiled litter, disinfectants, etc.).
- How you will manage noise levels of cats and customer visitations. Queen cats are known to become vocal during the oestrous cycle.
- A site plan (at 1:200 scale) showing structures where cats will be kept and their proximity to other structures such as neighbouring houses and boundary fences. Please include cage sizes.
Important information:
- The City may require further information when assessing your application.
- Should your application be approved, you will be required to maintain the minimum standards. Field Officers inspect properties to ensure standards are maintained for the health and safety of cats.
How to apply
To apply complete the Apply to Breed Cats or Renew Cat Breeding Licence Form.
Each application has an associated non-refundable fee of $100 per breeding cat.
Cat breeding adoption notification
To notify the City when a kitten is sold/adopted, complete the Cat Breeding Adoption Form.
Adding or reducing breeding cats
Cats you no longer wish to breed must be sterilised by a registered veterinarian, unless an exemption has been obtained. Once sterilised, cats must be registered with the City as a non-breeding animal.
To increase or replace your breeding cats, a new breeding application must be submitted, complete the Apply to Breed Cats or Renew Cat Breeding Licence Form.
Dietary requirements
Breeding cats require an adequate daily diet containing vital nutrients for their stage of life to maintain good health. An adult breeding cat should be well proportioned and have an observable waist behind the ribs when viewed from above and from the side. The abdominal pad should be minimal, and the ribs palpable, with a light fat covering when touched or felt.
Fresh water is essential and must be always available to cats. Water should be changed daily, ensuring the size of the bowl is sufficient to sustain cats throughout warmer weather conditions, particularly if they are fed a dried biscuit diet.
Housing
Housing for breeding cats should be constructed from solid, secure, well ventilated, and non-absorbable materials. Cats must have sufficient room to stretch, move around freely, and be provided with appropriate areas for feeding and toileting.
Housing units must protect cats from wind, rain, and extreme weather conditions including heat and cold. All areas within the breeding units must be maintained in a safe, clean and hygienic condition, including daily cleaning of cat litter.
Phenol, a common ingredient found in household cleaning products, is toxic to cats and overexposure can cause neurological conditions, liver failure, and in some instances death.
Exercise
While cats appear to spend a large amount of time sleeping, daily play and exercise is important for the health and wellbeing of the cat. Caged cats should have access to climbing ramps, platforms, sleeping shelves, and scratching posts/pads.
Health and hygiene
Cats purr when they're content, though you shouldn't always assume that it means they’re in a good mood. Purrs are a cats way of communicating a variety of emotions and it is not necessarily an indicator of good health.
Many cats will purr when they’re hurt or in pain to self-soothe and experts believe purring can help cats heal faster. The low frequency vibrations can heal bones and wounds, build and repair tendons, ease breathing, and decrease pain and swelling. On top of annual health checks, any cats showing signs of ill-health should be isolated to prevent the spread of disease and receive appropriate veterinarian attention.
Light coloured cats are susceptible to skin cancer and should be protected with the regular application of an appropriate animal sunscreen, especially during summer. Kittens should be wormed every two weeks, starting at three to four weeks of age. Kittens three months and older should be wormed every three months.
At eight weeks, kittens should receive a course of vaccinations. All cats should maintain vaccinations according to veterinarian recommendations.
It is the owner or authorised agent’s responsibility to notify and register the cat with the Council to which they are moving to. If you are requiring to transfer your registration from another council, please complete the Transfer of address form.
If your pet now resides at a different address, so that we may update our records, please complete the Notify Change of Address Form.