Some residents raised concerns about the council "overreach".
A Perth council has introduced a controversial cat law, with owners facing a household limit and a $300 fine, but some residents have raised concerns about the "overreach".
The City of Melville has outlawed cats from 64 reserves and parks that are home to important flora and fauna — like Tompkins Park, Goolugatup Heathcote Reserve, Alfred Cove Nature Reserve, and Centennial Park — from Saturday.
Owners whose cats are caught in the prohibited areas will be fined $300.
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There is now a two-cat limit per household, which does not apply to foster cats or cats registered with the city before the law commenced.
Residents can apply for approval to keep more than two cats under certain conditions, with the council taking into consideration whether it is an indoor or outdoor cat.
Pre-existing rules state that all felines must be sterilised, microchipped and registered at six months of age and must wear their collar with their registration tag when they are in a public place.
The City of Melville sits on the shore of the Swan River, about 8km from the CBD, and captures more than 200 parks and reserves, 778 hectares of open public space and 295 hectares of bushland.
The council has heard concerns about cats hunting, getting into fights and receiving injuries, harming and killing other animals, including native wildlife, and causing a nuisance to neighbours.
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Mayor Katy Mair hopes the new rules will protect native wildlife from the negative effects of outdoor cats and promote "responsible" ownership.
"The City of Melville recognises that cats are much-loved companions for many of our residents, enhancing their health and wellbeing," she said.
"I believe the law provides a good balance that takes into account our feline friends and their owners, alongside our responsibility as guardians to protect significant natural places and wildlife for future generations to enjoy."
The new rules come after two rounds of community consultation and feedback during public engagement of the city's cat management plan.
Almost half, or 45.7 per cent, of the 87 residents who provided submissions for the consultation opposed the cat law, but council insisted they only objected because they felt the changes needed to be tougher by imposing mandatory cat containment, a cat curfew or a requirement that keeps cats under control in public.
About 39.7 per cent supported the law, and 14.4 per cent neither supported nor opposed the law.
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The council approved the cat law in July, noting that it does not have the power under previous legislation to implement tougher restrictions that the community was asking for, and the law came into effect on Saturday.
Some residents have raised concerns about the law, taking to social media to complain about the restrictions.
"Disappointing to see you're limiting the number of pets someone can have, especially with so many wasting away in shelters," one person said.
"Why only two cats when you have a fully cat-proofed yard? That's ridiculous. It should not matter how many cats you have on your property," another said.
"Prejudiced towards cats. I've seen dogs attack birds too. But, let's blame cats," a third said.
"The overreach is getting out of control. Stay out of people's lives," a fourth said.
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