Stray Cats

What is a stray cat?

A stray cat may be lost, abandoned or have no identifiable owner.

What is a roaming cat?

A roaming cat is a cat found outside its owner's property. This does not necessarily mean the cat is lost or stray. There is no law prohibiting cats from roaming.

If you are unsure whether a cat is stray, avoid assuming that it has been abandoned. Taking reasonable steps to identify its owner can help prevent owned cats from being incorrectly treated as stray animals.

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).
• If seizing the cat is reasonable and necessary for the protection of any person or animal (section 32).

Cats can roam up to 1km radius from where they live or are being fed. Before assuming a roaming cat is a "stray" please:

• Check to see if cat has collar and tag.
• Attach a paper collar with a phone number on it.
• Do a door knock around the area to ask if the cat belongs to a neighbour.
• Post a photograph of the cat on social media such as Southern Highlands Lost & Found Pets or other Facebook groups.

To prevent a roaming cat becoming a nuisance do not allow them to enter your house or have access to food on your property - we recommend that if you own a cat to feed them inside, and do not feed the roaming cat. 

Council does not necessarily collect every cat found roaming.

If you find a cat, contact Council for advice about the circumstances and the options available.

If you have one or more stray cats roaming in your area and you don’t want them to come into your garden/yard/property, there are a few things you can do to control the situation:

1. Ensure your pet cat is desexed. Many stray cats are attracted to the scent of other undesexed cats.
2. Do not leave any food outside and do not feed the stray cats
3. You can plant certain plants that deter cats (these are usually herbs) that cats do not like the smell of.
4. Use a deterrent spray or pellets from a pet store
5. Removing faeces from your yard as the smell can attract the stray cats
6. Installing cat-proof fencing.
7. Discussing with your neighbours to educate them on not feeding stray cats.

Before you seize a stray cat

Unlike dogs, cats are allowed to roam in public places and onto private property. There is no law prohibiting cats from roaming. 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).
• If seizing the cat is reasonable and necessary for the protection of any person or animal (section 32). 

Cats can roam up to 1km radius from where they live or are being fed. Before assuming a roaming cat is a "stray" please:

• Check to see if cat has collar and tag.
• Attach a paper collar with a phone number on it.
• Do a door knock around the area to ask if the cat belongs to a neighbour.
• Post a photograph of the cat on social media such as Southern Highlands Lost & Found Pets or other Facebook groups.

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

Seizing a stray cat

Trapping a cat needs to be done in a humane way. This means:

• Checking the trap every 6-8 hours after setting it up
• Taking the cat to a vet or shelter within 24 hours after it is trapped
• Not trapping cats in extreme weather (very hot or freezing cold)

Covering the trap with a towel or blanket to protect from weather and reduce stress

Once the cat is caught, it is important to check if the cat appears injured or sick. Signs may include:

• Bleeding, limping, difficulty breathing or moving
• Watery eyes, sneezing, discharge around nose
• Scratches, scars, bald spots in fur, red or irritated skin, excessive itching

If the cat appears injured or sick, you may need to take it to a vet clinic.

Cover the trap with a towel or blanket to help calm the cat. When transporting, you need to have the cat in a secure carrier or trap.

Contact your nearest shelter to discuss the situation and organise drop-off for the cat to be checked for a microchip and potentially to be taken into the care of the shelter.  

A microchip can help identify a cat and reunite it with its owner. Council or an authorised animal service (such as a vet) may be able to scan the cat and contact the owner. 

If you want to find out information about microchipping pets visit: Microchipping 

Check Council's Lost and Found Pets page and contact Council as soon as possible.

Make sure your cat's microchip and registration details are up to date on the NSW Pet Registry.