Yes, neighbours absolutely can complain about cats if they are causing a nuisance, such as trespassing, spraying, excessive noise, or damaging property, and can report these issues to their local council, which may issue fines or orders to the owner, though talking to the neighbour first is often recommended.
When neighbors complain about community cats, it is important to swiftly address their concerns in a manner that is calm, productive, and oriented toward a peaceful solution. Every solution, however, should involve allowing the cats to remain in their outdoor homes.
When a neighbor complains about a cat causing nuisance, owners should document efforts to mitigate issues, like using deterrents. Local laws vary, but generally, owners must take reasonable steps to prevent damage or disturbance. If complaints escalate, mediation or local council intervention may help resolve disputes.
Many Australian local councils now require cat owners to keep their pets on their own premises. In some areas, this is a curfew where cats are not allowed to roam freely after dark. But in other areas, cats must be kept on their own property at all times.
Offer solutions: a humane trap-and-return, indoor enrichment, or alternate feeding location. Offer practical help: Provide information about TNR (trap-neuter-return) programs, low-cost spay/neuter clinics, or humane cat shelters if the neighbor is open. Sometimes owners don't realize the cat's roaming is an issue.
Contact your neighbour
If you know who owns the cat, try contacting them and asking if they can keep their cat contained. If they are open to receiving information about the benefits of cat containment and how to keep their cat at home, you could share the RSPCA Keeping Your Cat Safe and Happy at Home resources.
Most recommended: Water: Cats hate it, so keep a water pistol (Super Soaker) handy and spray any time you see them in your yard. A spray with the hose also works well. Scarecrow Motion Activitated Sprinklers: The “Scarecrow” senses animals the same way security lights detect people; movement and heat.
The 3-3-3 rule for new cats is a guideline for adjusting to a new home: 3 days to decompress (hiding, overwhelmed), 3 weeks to start learning routines and showing personality (exploring, getting comfortable), and 3 months to feel truly at home and bonded (revealing true self). Patience is key, providing a safe, quiet space and consistent routines helps reduce stress and build trust during these stages, allowing the cat to adjust at its own pace.
Letting cats roam outdoors is increasingly restricted in Australia. Many states, territories, and councils have laws or by-laws requiring cat containment, especially in urban and environmentally sensitive areas. Laws differ significantly between states and local councils.
Outdoor cats frequently prey on birds and small mammals (e.g, chipmunks, rabbits, moles), which can damage local populations and affect biodiversity. Many conservation organizations urge cat owners to keep their feline friends indoors to protect their neighborhood ecosystems.
This list is not exhaustive but the most common neighbour disputes tend to be about:
Cats hate strong, pungent, or bitter smells, with citrus (lemon, orange), vinegar, and harsh cleaning chemicals (ammonia, bleach) topping the list, along with certain herbs (lavender, eucalyptus, rosemary) and spices (cinnamon, pepper) that can irritate their sensitive noses, with some being toxic if ingested. Strong odors like spoiled food, other animals' scents, or menthol are also highly disliked.
Cat behavior red flags signal potential medical or emotional issues, including sudden changes in eating/drinking, litter box problems, excessive vocalization, increased hiding, aggression, lethargy, or changes in grooming (like overgrooming or stopping). Because cats hide illness well, any significant deviation from their normal routine, such as increased thirst, appetite changes, or unusual hiding, warrants an urgent vet visit to rule out serious underlying conditions like kidney disease, hyperthyroidism, diabetes, or pain.
House soiling in cats, also called feline inappropriate elimination, is the most common behavioral complaint of cat owners. Problem behaviors can be urine and/or stool deposited outside of the litter box, or marking behaviors.
Dealing with Neighbors
Allowing your cat to roam freely outdoors comes with risks. When outside, cats face dangers such as being hit by a car, being harmed by another animal or person, contracting certain diseases and being infected with parasites. Additionally, your cat may cause conflicts with your neighbors and injure or kill wildlife.
Cat deterrents for your garden
If a neighbourhood cat is disturbing your garden, there are ways to deter them without cruelty: don't offer other cats food, as they're more likely to return. plant shrubs closely, grow prickly plants or use small pebbles or chippings to make it difficult for cats to dig.
Cats are regarded in law as property, so the theft of a cat is treated as an offence under the Act, in the same way as theft of any other property.
Cats that roam also carry the risk of contracting and spreading diseases like toxoplasmosis and feline immunodeficiency virus. Cat curfews have broad public support in Australia and are becoming a social norm with many Councils introducing them.
The most difficult age for a cat can vary depending on the individual. But generally, adolescence (around four months to two years) is often considered the most challenging phase. During this period, cats undergo significant physical and behavioural changes.
Cats can experience stress and confusion during a rehome, especially if the change is sudden. But sadness, as we experience it, isn't quite the same for cats, and they usually settle once they feel safe.
Signs of Anxiety in Cats
Humane deterrents are the best approach.... Smells that repel cats: To keep cats out of yards or gardens, plant the herb rue or sprinkle dried rue. Citrus or lemon scents (orange peels, lemon peels), garlic, ammonia, vinegar, coffee grinds, pipe tobacco, mustard, citronella, or eucalyptus all deter cats as well.
14 Ways to Get Rid of Stray Cats
They'll explore their surroundings, mark territory, and look for food or shelter. Some cats are drawn to other people's homes because: They smell food or another animal.