Melbourne Cat Curfews 2026: Council Rules and How to Keep an Indoor Cat Happy

Updated October 2026. More Melbourne councils now require cats to stay on their owner's property at night or around the clock. The City of Melbourne's 6pm–8am curfew applies, Wyndham moved to 24-hour containment in January 2026, and Glen Eira and Boroondara curfews are coming. Rules differ by council, so check your council's current order.

Key takeaways

• Cat rules are set council by council under each council's Domestic Animal Management Plan, so your address decides what applies to you.
• "Contained" usually means kept within your property boundary. It doesn't have to mean indoors, provided a yard or enclosure is truly cat-proof.
• Kingston (which includes Moorabbin), Bayside and the City of Melbourne already have night-time rules. Glen Eira's starts in late 2026 and Boroondara's from 10 April 2027.
• Contained cats stay happy with climbing space, scratching posts, daily play, clean litter trays and easy access to fresh water.

Which Melbourne councils have cat curfews in 2026?

Here is where things stand as at October 2026, based on each council's published information. Treat it as a starting point and confirm with your council.

City of Melbourne

The City of Melbourne's cat containment orders require cats to be kept on their property from 6pm to 8am. The curfew came into effect on 1 October 2025 as part of the council's Domestic Animal Management Plan 2026–29, which councillors endorsed in September 2025 (reported by Inner City News). Some early news reports gave different hours. The council's own figures are 6pm to 8am. The council's rules also require cats to be desexed and keep them out of waterways and certain major parks unless under effective control.

Boroondara

Boroondara councillors adopted a night-time cat curfew on 27 July 2026. From 10 April 2027, cats must stay on their owner's property between sunset and sunrise. Cats registered with Boroondara on or before 9 April 2027, whose registration hasn't lapsed, won't have the curfew applied to them. Council has set a review for 31 December 2029.

Maribyrnong and Wyndham

Maribyrnong's new pet plan introduced a 7pm–7am curfew from 1 July 2026, with a 24/7 curfew to be reconsidered later. Wyndham's 24-hour containment began on 1 January 2026. The council is phasing in enforcement: education first, then cautions and final warnings, and infringements from December 2026.

Kingston, Glen Eira and Bayside

These are the councils closest to our Moorabbin store. Kingston requires cats to be "securely confined to the owner's property between sunset and sunrise". Glen Eira adds a 7pm–6am curfew from late 2026, and Bayside decided against 24-hour containment in December 2024.

What happens if my cat is out during curfew?

Enforcement varies. Glen Eira says a cat found off its property during curfew hours may be impounded, and you may need to pay a fee to collect it, with extra fees if the cat is unregistered. Most councils start with education and warnings, but fines can apply. Make sure your cat is microchipped, registered and wearing its council tag, so it can be returned quickly if it gets out.

How do I keep a contained or indoor cat happy?

Cats adjust well to containment when their home meets their needs. RSPCA NSW's cat housing advice recommends play, scratching surfaces, window views and enough litter trays. These steps cover the basics:

1. Go vertical. Cats feel safer when they can climb and watch from above. A sturdy cat tree or scratcher near a window gives height, a lookout and a place to stretch.
2. Offer scratching options. Scratching keeps claws healthy and marks territory. Provide at least one tall post and one horizontal scratcher, placed near where your cat sleeps.
3. Play every day. Two or three short sessions with a wand or chase toy let your cat stalk, pounce and "catch". Rotate cat toys every few days to keep them interesting, and keep high-energy sessions short.
4. Get the litter right. RSPCA NSW recommends one more tray than the number of cats you have. Scoop daily, keep trays in quiet spots away from food, and choose a cat litter your cat is happy to use.
5. Encourage drinking. Indoor cats on dry food may not drink much. Many cats prefer moving water, so an automatic water fountain can help, alongside a bowl or two in different rooms.
6. Feed for an indoor lifestyle. Contained cats often move less, so weight can creep up. Indoor cat food is formulated for lower activity levels. Measure portions and check your cat's body shape regularly.
7. Add safe outdoor time. A cat-proof enclosure, enclosed balcony or patio, or supervised harness walks let your cat enjoy sunshine and smells without roaming.

Is it cruel to keep a cat contained?

Not if its needs are met. Containment protects cats from cars, fights, disease and getting lost, and it protects wildlife. RSPCA NSW notes that dusk to dawn is when most predation occurs. The key is enrichment: a bored cat may overgroom, scratch furniture or toilet outside the tray. If your cat seems stressed or its toileting changes after a move to indoor life, talk to your vet.

How do I transition an outdoor cat to indoor life?

Start before your council's start date. Bring your cat in before dusk with its evening meal so coming inside becomes routine, set up climbing, scratching and litter areas, then extend indoor time gradually over a few weeks. Expect some vocalising at first.

Frequently asked questions

Does Kingston have a cat curfew?

Yes. City of Kingston requires cats to be securely confined to the owner's property between sunset and sunrise. Its 2026–29 animal plan flagged a possible future review of 24/7 containment, so check Kingston's current order for any changes.

What are the City of Melbourne cat curfew hours?

The City of Melbourne requires cats to be contained to their property between 6pm and 8am. The curfew has applied since 1 October 2025.

Does a cat curfew mean my cat must stay indoors?

Not necessarily. Most councils require cats to stay within your property boundary, so a secure, escape-proof yard or cat enclosure usually counts. Check your council's current order for its exact wording.

When does the Boroondara cat curfew start?

Boroondara's sunset-to-sunrise curfew starts on 10 April 2027. It doesn't apply to cats registered with Boroondara on or before 9 April 2027 whose registration hasn't lapsed.

How can I stop my indoor cat getting bored?

Give it climbing spaces like a cat tree, scratching posts, a window perch, daily play sessions and toys rotated every few days. Puzzle feeders and a cat-safe enclosure add variety.

Sources

• City of Melbourne: Cat containment
• Inner City News: City of Melbourne votes for cat curfew (30 September 2025)
• City of Boroondara: Night-time cat curfew adopted by Councillors
• Maribyrnong City Council: New plan for your pets (19 November 2025)
• Wyndham City: 24-hour cat containment
• City of Kingston: Cat ownership
• Glen Eira City Council: Cat curfew
• Bayside City Council: Cats
• Bayside City Council: Daytime freedom for cats (December 2024)
• RSPCA NSW: Cat housing