Build a catio, protect wildlife and grab a $200 rebate!

Love your cat? Love our local wildlife? Love cashback? 

Give your cat safe outdoor access

Do you want to give your cat outdoor access to fresh air, bask in the sun and observe the world while remaining safe on your property? GeoCatch is offering Shire of Augusta Margaret River residents a $200 rebate for cat owners to install a new cat enclosure for their beloved feline. Eligible cat owners need to register for the rebate and have the enclosure installed by December 2025.

Why install a catio?

The aim of the rebate is to assist cat owners in keeping their cats safe and healthy on their properties while having peace of mind knowing where their cats are at all times. Cat owners will have the confidence to allow their cats outside access while still being mindful of urban wildlife, other pets and neighbours.

Impact of free-roaming cats

A pet cat that is allowed to roam and hunt kills an average of 186 mammals, birds and reptiles per year, 110 of which are native. Of particular interest in the Margaret River region is the Critically Endangered western ringtail possum, a species often found in backyards where it can come into conflict with free-roaming cats and dogs.

How to be a responsible cat owner

Cat enclosures are one option for responsible cat owners, resulting in a win-win for all. You can also:

•    Keep your cat indoors or contained in a catio at all times.
•    Get your cat desexed.
•    Have your cat microchipped.
•    Schedule regular vet check-ups.
•    Dispose of cat litter hygienically.
•    Register your cat and comply with local government regulations.

Success stories

Since its launch 9 months ago, 51 cat owners have successfully registered, and 30 catios have been installed using the rebate across the City of Busselton and Shires of Augusta Margaret River, Capel and Donnybrook. There are still have 29 rebates available this year!

Testimonials

Local Margaret River resident, Sonja recently completed a catio for her cat Cody. She says, “Cody is mostly found laying in the warmth on the paving stones.”

Local resident, Wendy also built a catio for her two young kittens, Lotto and Lucy. “Our cats are only very young kittens at present, getting up to mischief inside the house. We have decided to delay letting them into the catio until they are familiar with their internal home. We would feel happier getting them into the catio after they have been desexed, which is in four weeks' time.”

How to register

Register here by September 2025 to secure your rebate, and complete your catio by December 2025. Help us promote responsible pet ownership and protect our local wildlife by sharing this information with fellow cat owners.

About the project

This project is delivered by GeoCatch, in partnership with the Shire of Augusta Margaret River, City of Busselton, Capel Shire and Donnybrook-Balingup Shire, with funding from the Western Australian Government's State NRM Program.

For more details and to register, visit Building a catio | GeoCatch.