Under the Cat Act 2011, all cats aged six months or over in Western Australia are required to:
Failure to do so may result in a fine.
For more information visit
Cat registration and renewals
Cat Sterilisation Subsidy
The City of Cockburn provides a Cat Sterilisation Subsidy for residents to assist with the expenses of sterilising and microchipping a cat.
Apply for the Cat Sterilisation Subsidy
Microchip your cat
By law all cat owners must microchip their cat and report the number to the City. Microchipped cats can be easily identified and reunited with their owners if they are lost.
Rangers picking up cats across all councils will scan for a microchip, which means they can obtain your details from the microchip database registry and contact you to collect your cat.
How do I microchip my cat?
Microchipping can be carried out by your local Vet.
They will then register you cats microchip number with a microchip database registry for you. If you are not sure if your cat is already microchipped, please contact your Vet who will be able to scan your cat to check for an existing microchip number.
What happens if I don’t microchip my cat?
Under the
Cat Act 2011, it is mandatory for all cat owners to microchip their cat if it is over six months old. You may be fined if you do not comply.
Your cat can be microchipped at a much younger age. Please contact your Vet for more information on the minimum age for your cat to be microchipped.
How do I register the microchip number?
Your Vet can help you identify which database registry your cat's microchip is registered with. If the microchip is not already registered with a database, your vet can assist you with choosing a WA database and submitting your cat's details.
How do I update microchip details?
You will need to contact the database registry that the microchip is registered with to update your contact details. You can find out which company the microchip is registered with by reviewing your pets Microchip Certificate or by contacting your Vet.
You will also need to notify us of any changes to your or your cats details such as address, phone number, ownership or if your pet has died. To update your contact details with the City, complete the Change of Animal Status Form below.
Change of Animal Status form
Are there exemptions from microchipping?
You may apply to the City for an exemption from microchipping your cat if you have a Vet Certificate stating that implanting a microchip may adversely affect the health or welfare of your cat.
To provide the City a copy of the Vet Certificate, email
[email protected] or visit in person at 9 Coleville Crescent, Spearwood between 8.30am and 4.30pm.
Alternatively, post to:
Ranger Services
9 Coleville Crescent
Spearwood
WA 6163
All persons or organisations wishing to breed cats must apply for a permit and to register each cat with the City. As a cat owner, you may receive a penalty or face prosecution for failure to comply.