A scaredy-cat no more! Your cat may have just earnt itself some extra lives with ACT’s new plan for cat containment. From 1 July 2022, all new cats across all suburbs of the ACT will need to be contained at all times.

The ACT Cat Plan 2021-2031 has been developed in consultation with the community and key environmental groups, to reduce the risk to native wildlife and for improved safety and wellbeing of pet cats.

Research shows that indoor cats, or cats that are contained outdoors, live longer lives than cats who roam free. This is no surprise, reducing the threat of fights, dogs, disease, and the most significant risk of being injured or killed by a vehicle.

Around Australia, pet cats are responsible for the death of a staggering 390 million animals, such as native birds and lizards, each year. That’s over 100 animals per pet cat.

Education is key, and the ACT Government will work hard to educate cat owners about their responsibilities, but to prove that they aren’t “pussyfooting around”, tough penalties will be enforced for cat owners caught doing the wrong thing, with a maximum penalty of $1,600.

Cat containment doesn’t need to be expensive or difficult

Cat runs are a great way of allowing cats the freedom to be outdoors, while being contained within their own backyard. While new laws apply to cats obtained after 1 July 2022, it’s important that the wellbeing of existing cats is also addressed. No cat is immune to diseases or invincible against cars. All cats possess the natural instinct to hunt and kill other animals. Responsible cat ownership and containment should be a priority for all cat owners, no matter how long a cat has been in the family.

Building an outdoor cat run is simple and people are always so surprised just how easy and affordable it is to build their own enclosure.

One satisfied “Catnets” customer says “Working with netting [was] far easier than I imagined and we now have some very happy cats that have a fairly large outdoor space.”

This is a common experience of Catnet customers looking to build an outdoor cat run.

Catnets.com.au has a range of cat netting solutions and portable enclosures available to keep all cats and wildlife safe. Netting is an ideal material for cat runs. It’s very versatile and easy to work with, and it’s barely noticeable once installed. Catnets supplies a range of bulk netting sizes, as well as netting by the metre to suit any outdoor space. Catnets makes installation simple with a wide range of installation accessories and DIY videos available.

If you are unable to attach netting to your property, a Portable Cat Enclosure could be the best option for you. Portable Cat Enclosures are an increasingly popular option providing a safe and practical solution for containing cats outdoors and are ideal for those renting or those who prefer not to create a more elaborate and permanent enclosure. They are lightweight yet sturdy, and so simple to assemble.

While the spotlight may shift to cat containment in 2022, it’s important that cat owners keep on top of all other responsibilities, including early desexing, vaccinations, microchipping and registration, and maintaining the cat’s overall wellbeing. 

Creating an outdoor space where your cat feels safe and happy is critical. Research shows that a mentally and physically stimulated cat is happier and healthier and, as a result, may live longer. When building an outdoor cat run, ensure you also consider your cat’s environmental and behavioural needs. These needs may centre on your cat’s age, personality, and basic need for rest, play and stimulation. All cats need vertical space, so be sure to add some climbing furniture into the cat run, some toys to keep your cat stimulated, and scratching surfaces to satisfy their basic animal instincts.  

Catnets.com.au also has a range of “Skywalks Outdoor Cat Furniture” to help enrich your cat’s environment including cat trees, climbing platforms and scratchers.

Visit www.catnets.com.au for all your cat netting and enclosure needs.

Receive 10% off your first purchase by using the following code at checkout CODE: ACT10

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