Under the Domestic Animals Act 1994, part of being a responsible pet owner is having your pet microchipped and desexed. Council recommends that cats and dogs be desexed if you are not keeping them for breeding.
From 2010, Whitehorse City Council requires all cats being registered for the first time to be desexed unless exempt. Compulsory cat desexing laws are designed to reduce the number of unwanted litters and un-owned cats. View the Council order ( PDF 93.97KB).
Cats can be exempt from desexing if:
- A vet provides written advice in an exemption letter detailing how desexing would be prejudicial to the animal’s health.
- The cat owner is a member of an approved organisation including: