Overview

Since the domestication of our feline friends and throughout history, cats have quietly gone about endearing themselves to humans as a preferred pet through their independence, companionship and personalities. 

The City of Armadale value all pets great and small and strongly encourage responsible pet ownership but do acknowledge that cats can sometimes be seen as a nuisance when they roam, attack wildlife or create a disturbance in or around a property.

The following information has been collated to provide guidance to residents about ways they can deter nuisance cats on their property in a safe manner. Although this information is general in nature, residents must be mindful that any action taken to deliberately injure or harm a cat is not acceptable and is an offence under the Animal Welfare Act 2002.

Talk to Your Neighbour

As a first step and if you know who owns the cat, the City recommends that you approach and discuss your concerns with the cat’s owner.

Often the owner may not be aware of their cat being a nuisance and will make an effort to rectify the problem once this has been raised with them.

If you are not comfortable speaking with your neighbour directly, an anonymous Cat Card can be completed to provide information of the nuisance and dropped in their mailbox. 

Deterrents and Repellents

After speaking with your neighbour or delivering a Cat Card and provided adequate time has been allowed for the owner to undertake actions to remedy your concerns, the following are examples of deterrents that you can try which may or may not prove successful: 

Natutal deterrent and repellent plants alternatives
  • Citrus fragrance (scatter orange or lemon peels or spray with citrus)
  • Coffee grounds
  • Oil of lavender
  • Garlic
  • Cinnamon
  • Lemongrass
  • Citronella
  • Euclyptus
  • Vinegar sprayed on areas where they roam
  • Pine cones and heavy bark mulch (cats don't like the feeling on their feet)
  • Dried nut of bean shells, broken egg shells, holly leaves, or rock mulch
  • Curry plant (Helichrysum augustfolium)
  • Geranium (Pelargonium)
  • Lemon thyme (Thymus citriodorus)
  • Lavender (Lavandula augustifolia)
  • Pennyroyal (Mentha pulegrium)
  • Rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis)
  • Scaredy cat plant (Plectranthus caninus)
  • Use motion activated sprinklers or ultrasonic devices
  • Make a loud noise to startle the cat
  • Commercial cat repellent products

Trapping

If after speaking to your neighbour or having tried the above deterrents and the cat is still causing a nuisance, the City may be able to assist through the provision of a cat trap.

Cat Traps are available for collection from the Animal Management Facility, 23 Capstick Lane Kelmscott (Monday - Friday 3.30 to 4.30pm and Weekends from 9 to 10am.)

For further information regarding nuisance cats or cat traps, please contact Ranger Services via:

Page Last Reviewed 15 March 2022