Cat Responsibilities

Cat registration

In South Australia, all cats (and dogs) must be microchipped, desexed and registered in Dogs and Cats Online, the statewide database for dogs, cats, microchip, desexing and breeder registrations. Some exemptions apply - visit the Dog and Cat Management Board website for information about microchip, desexing and breeder laws. City of Burnside does not charge a fee for cat registration.

Visit the Dogs and Cats Online portal for registration and payment.

Nuisance cats

There is no law in the City of Burnside requiring a cat to be confined to its own property and we are unable to take any action in relation to the presence only of the cat on your property. Council can only deal with issues relating to a nuisance cat under the Local Nuisance and Litter Control Act 2016 Section 18 - Causing local nuisance. Sufficient evidence must be provided for Council to take any type of formal action.

Council Officers also have powers with cats under the Dog and Cat Management Act 1995 in which we can lawfully seize, detain, destroy or otherwise dispose of an unidentified cat if found in an area that its removal is authorised for.

View our Nuisance Cat Complaint Flow Chart(PDF, 97KB) for more information on the process. 

Information for cat owners

The Dog and Cat Management Board has developed a website which has very helpful information for cat owners.

The aim is to make people more aware of responsible cat ownership and to avoid unidentified cats ending up in shelters with no means to reunite them with their owners.

Visit the Dog and Cat Management Board website.