Other Pets

Residents are not allowed to keep the following animals:

• Livestock (sheep, goats, cows)
• Horses
• Alpacas
• Camels
• llamas
• Native animals (unless otherwise authorised. Penalties of up to $500,000 apply for keeping native fauna without a licence).

These rules are set out by the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act 1986 and are designed to protects the welfare of all animals.

Unlicenced Pets

Residents are permitted to own the following pets without a licence:

• Rabbits
• Guinea pigs
• Rats and mice (provided they are domestic breeds)
• Birds*
• Fish

Licenced Pets

If the correct aviculture or herpetofauna licence is held, the following pets are permitted within the City:

• Reptiles*
• Amphibians*
• Exotic birds*

*Only certain species are allowed to be kept as pets. To find out which ones you can keep with a licence please view the Pet keeping species list.

To best take care of small pets please ensure all pets have:

• Protection against heat and cold
• An appropriate diet and fresh water
• Protection from pain and suffering
• Freedom of movement.

Any enclosure used as a home for your pet will need to be:

•  Well shaded
• Safe and secure (which prevents them from escaping as well as protection from bad weather and predators)
• Clean and ventilated.

Please note - rabbits, guinea pigs, rats and mice are sensitive to hot temperatures (above 30°C) and can easily suffer from heat stress. On hot Perth days it may be necessary to provide a frozen ice brick or drink bottle in the hutch or cage to keep your pets cool.

Birds make fantastic pets and are a five to ten year commitment. They don't require a lot of space so they can be kept in small apartments or units. Popular breeds of birds that don't need a licence are Budgerigars, Cockatiels, and Canaries.

Pet birds need:

• Wide cages that provide enough movement for exercise
• Companionship - birds are best kept in pairs or provide your bird with a mirror
• Entertainment - birds are easily bored and require toys
• A healthy diet of bird pellets and vegetables, seeds should be kept for treats.

Please check with your local pet store or vet for more specific requirements.

A special licence is needed for residents to keep exotic birds. Only certain species of birds can be kept as pets.  To find out which ones you can keep with a licence, please view the Pet keeping species list.

Please view the Biodiversity Conservation Regulations 2018 Fact sheet for Aviculture Herpetofauna to find out the new rules for keeping birds as pets. 

Goldfish are one of the most common species kept as pets. Some goldfish breeds can grow up to 10 - 20cm. A pet fish is a long-term commitment as they can live up to 20 years and require regular maintenance to ensure they and their environment are healthy.

Indoor aquariums should:

• Be away from direct sunlight (as this will increase the growth of algae)
• Provide enough space for your fish to swim around freely
• Be the correct temperature for your fish:
  •  Non-Tropical fish should be kept at room temperature between 20-25C
  • Tropical fish will require heated water depending on the species.

Please check with an aquarium store or your local vet for more specific requirements.

If you no longer want to keep your fish make sure you find an alternative home. Please do not release live goldfish into lakes or waterways as they can carry diseases that can affect our native species.

A special licence is needed for residents to keep reptiles and amphibians. Only certain species of reptiles and amphibians can be kept as pets. To find out which ones you can keep with a licence, please view the Pet keeping species list.

Please view the Biodiversity Conservation Regulations 2018 Fact sheet for Aviculture Herpetofauna to find out the new rules for keeping reptiles/amphibians as pets.

You can keep chickens, ducks and domestic fowls in the City of Bayswater. You are not allowed to keep roosters at any time.

Please see the below chart to find out how many you can keep on your property:

In order to keep poultry within the City, they must be kept in an enclosure:

• Of at least 20 square metres
• 1.2 metres away from any property boundary
• Nine metres away from a dwelling, public building, premises where people are employed or a place where food is located. The approval of the Manager Environmental Health Services is required before any poultry is kept closer than nine metres
• With a weatherproof poultry roost for the poultry to shelter. The poultry roost must allow a minimum of 0.3 square metres per bird and have a 250mm perimeter wall sloped around and to the front. The floor must be a minimum of 50mm thick.

Please keep your poultry enclosures clean to ensure you have happy, safe and healthy pets.