Responsible cat ownership

All cats over the age of six months are lawfully required to be sterilised, microchipped and registered with a local government. Pet cats must also wear a collar and registration tag at all times when in public.

Purr-tect Your Pet Program subsidy offer

The City is offering a subsidised package rate of $250 to support cat owners with sterilisation, microchipping, and lifetime registration.

What’s included:

• $150 rebate towards the total vet fee for sterilising and microchipping your cat
• Waived $100 lifetime registration fee with The City.

This subsidy is available starting 31 October 2024 for a limited time only and will end once the allocated funds are exhausted.

Application process:

1. Book in an appointment at a participating vet clinic (see below)
2. Fill out the owner details section of the cat subsidy application form
3. Once the procedure is complete, the vet must complete the 'Vet use only' section of the form 
4. Send back the completed form with a copy of your receipt and proof of residency to commsafety@stirling.wa.gov.au
5. Upon review of an eligible application, the $150 rebate will be transferred to your nominated account 
6. The City will process the cat subsidy application form and cat registration form, rebate $150 to your designated bank account, and waive the $100 lifetime registration fee.

Eligibility

To be eligible for the subsidy, cat owners must:

• Be 18 years or older
• Reside with their cats in the City of Stirling
• Have no more than three cats registered to the property
• Agree to and sign the terms and conditions.

Participating vets

• Karrinyup Small Animal Hospital
• Doubleview Vet
• Pets and Vets Mirrabooka
• Total Vet Care Innaloo.

Terms and conditions

1. The City of Stirling is not liable for any risks during or after surgery, including injury, disease, or death
2. The City is not responsible for any special circumstances that may incur additional costs
3. The City is not liable for complications requiring extra treatment post-surgery
4. Non-compliant customers will be liable for vet fees, registration will be refused, the cat will be impounded, and infringements may be issued. Subsidy will be forfeited
5. Applicant and cat must reside in the City and provide proof of residency
6. The City offers a maximum subsidy of $150 for sterilisation and/or microchipping and a lifetime registration valued at $100 per cat
7. Subsidy is only available for cats sterilised and/or microchipped after 31 October 2024
8. Applicant must comply with local regulations on the number of cats allowed
9. The subsidy program ends once funds are exhausted
10. The City reserves the right to amend or terminate the program anytime
11. The City’s decision on eligibility and application approval is final.

If you have questions about this offer, please contact us at commsafety@stirling.wa.gov.au.  

Pet cats must have access to clean drinking water at all times. Keep spill-proof water bowls in at least two locations and ensure the containers are refilled and cleaned as required.

Stagnant water could become breeding ground for bacteria, mould, viruses and parasites.

Pet cats need a well-balanced, meat-based diet to stay fit and healthy. Cats should be fed at least once a day. To avoid overfeeding divide the daily feed into two smaller meals. As a general guide, use the feeding instructions on the back of the cat food packet to guide how much to feed your cat. These instructions will be broken down into different amounts depending on your cat’s age and weight.

A balanced diet will consider individual nutritional requirements based on age, amount of exercise and physiological needs (e.g. during pregnancy, lactation and cold weather). Talk to your veterinarian if you’re unsure of how much you should be feeding your cat.

Pet cats must have access to adequate shelter from sun, wind and rain, including a weather-proof sleeping area with a bed.

A backyard cat enclosure or cat run allows pet cats to play safely outside while eliminating potential hazards such as with traffic, other pets and wildlife. Most pet cats adapt well to living indoors with access to an outdoor enclosure, particularly if this is commenced from an early age.

Take care to protect cats from hazards within your home such as electrical appliances, power cords, household poisons, and water sources such as toilets or swimming pools.

If you are going to be away e.g. holiday, arrange for suitable accommodation and carers, or ensure a responsible person is providing the necessary daily care for the cat.

All cats need physical exercise. Cats that are active are more likely to live longer and healthier lives. Just like humans, cats need exercise to keep their heart, muscles and bones fit and strong.

Cats are also sensory driven creatures. Creating an environment that stimulates your cat’s senses and provides opportunities to exercise natural instincts is especially important for indoor cats.

Pet cats need to have plenty of toys, places to hide, climb and perch and things to watch. All of these help create an enriched environment and may help prevent behavioural problems such as aggression, excessive grooming and scratching, etc.