Local laws for pet owners

You must be aware of your responsibilities as a pet owner and follow the local law requirements. Council’s Compliance Officers have the power to enforce local laws related to animals.

Animal owners in Frankston City must follow the guidelines established under Community Local Law 2020(PDF, 690KB), including:

the number of domestic animals (pets) that can be kept by an owner
keeping livestock (farm animals) in residential areas
keeping and housing pigeons
providing adequate fencing to protect other animals, including native fauna and flora
nuisances such as barking dogs
dog waste in public places
keeping horses on reservations.

Confining your animal to your property

Legally, you must confine your animal to your property.

Dogs

Dogs can only leave their registered property if they are under effective control with a chain, cord or leash. There are designated free roam areas in Frankston City where dogs may be exercised off leash.

Cats

Cats must remain on your property during the designated cat curfew, between dusk and dawn. Cats found wandering during the curfew risk being collected by other residents or Council.

Trapped and roaming cats

Council has a cat curfew in place between dusk and dawn. Council’s Parks and Natural Reserves Officers are responsible for regular cat control on Council Reserves.

Please note: Effective immediately Frankston City Council is halting our cat trapping/cage service. There are worldwide shortages of the vaccine for cat flu and the fatal feline panleukopenia virus and, therefore, supplies must be reserved for critical cases. This information will be updated once vaccine supplies return to normal.

Domestic Animal Management Plan (2020-2024)

Under the Domestic Animals Act 1994 (Vic) all Victorian councils must prepare an animal management plan every 4 years.

Council's Domestic Animal Management Plan (DAMP) outlines the services, programs and policies which Council has established to address and manage domestic animal issues in the community.

The Plan shapes our strategy to address animal management within Frankston City for the next four years. It identifies how Council currently addresses animal management and helps us develop ways to improve current practices and set new guidelines for future plans. We will review the Plan on an annual basis as needed.

Download the Domestic Animal Management Plan (2020-2024)(PDF, 2MB).