General News
19 December, 2025
Council clarifies cat laws after Michael saga
Northern Grampians Shire Council has clarified its position on pet cats and animal welfare concerns, following weeks of intense public discussion sparked by the disappearance of Michael the Cat in Great Western. Michael became an unlikely social media celebrity after his owners reported he had been snatched in broad daylight from the quiet wine village, prompting widespread sharing across local Facebook pages and an outpouring of concern from across the region. While the campaign helped reunite Michael with his family, it also reignited debate about cats roaming residential streets, responsible pet ownership and the tone of online discussion in small communities.
In response to questions from The Stawell Times-News, Northern Grampians Shire acting chief executive Vaughan Williams said domestic animals played an important role in community life, but that balance was essential.
“Domestic animals, including cats, play an integral role in the day-to-day lives of many in the community,” Mr Williams said.
“Council recognises the importance of promoting responsible pet ownership and animal welfare while protecting the community and our environment, ensuring that pets, their owners and non-pet owners can comfortably coexist.”
Mr Williams said responsible ownership was key to minimising broader impacts.
“Responsible pet ownership is critical to minimise the harm that domestic animals can have on community safety and the native flora and fauna,” he said, adding that council’s approach was guided by its Domestic Animal Management Plan (DAMP), which encouraged “desexing, microchipping, registration, and confinement of pets”, supported by the General Local Law.
“Currently the cat control orders within council’s General Local Law are associated to confinement, population control, and wildlife protection,” Mr Williams said.
“There are no local laws which confine cats to inside the house or within the confines of the property generally.”
He noted, however, that a separate local law banned domestic cats in Halls Gap to protect vulnerable native wildlife.
Mr Williams said pets were “reasonably expected to be supervised and confined by the owner” and that council had obligations when animals became a nuisance or were captured outside their owner’s property.
“Council is generally the first point of contact for domestic animal-related concerns,” he said, with officers able to escalate matters to the RSPCA or enforce local laws under the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act and the Domestic Animals Act.
Addressing the Michael saga directly, Mr Williams said council was pleased with the outcome.
“We are happy to see Michael the cat was returned to his owners, and the outpouring of support from both the Great Western and wider community throughout the search for this much-loved family pet.”
Read More: Stawell, Great Western