Municipal Laws And Cats: Who's In Control?

Local laws, such as local animal control ordinances, are part of a city and/or county code. Ordinances often include sections on animal cruelty, ownership, at-large regulations, mandatory spay/neuter, and cat licensing. Local laws are the most likely to have a direct impact on cats. In the US, there are three levels of law: federal, state, and local. Local ordinances are enacted by counties, townships, cities and other entities with only local enforcement.

Animal cruelty laws

Local laws, such as local animal control ordinances, are part of a city and/or county code. Ordinances often include sections on animal cruelty, ownership, at-large regulations, mandatory spay/neuter, and cat licensing. These laws should apply to all cats, not just owned, family animals. For community cats, the inclusion or omission of just a few words in these laws can be the difference between life and death. Many local laws are punitive. Alley Cat Allies is helping communities abolish dangerous laws and pass humane ordinances with progressive language that protects cats. They advocate for lifesaving legislation at every level of government and can help you locate your local ordinances and state or regional laws, and make recommendations on what changes would protect cats.

There are three levels of U.S. law: federal, state, and local. Federal laws apply to everyone in the country and are enacted by the US Congress and enforced by federal agencies; state laws are enacted by the 50 state legislatures and are enforced by in-state law enforcement agencies; and local ordinances are enacted by counties, townships, cities and other entities with only local enforcement. Ordinances apply only to the jurisdiction that enacted them. Local laws are the most likely to have a direct impact on cats. All laws are public information. You can find animal cruelty laws for all 50 states through the ASPCA’s main website. Most local laws are posted on the internet by the government entity that enacted it. A particular code that you need should be available on the website of the town, city, township, or county no matter how long ago it was enacted. Ordinances and laws pertaining to cats are usually found under the heading of Health or Animal Control. Lexis service can also provide the information for a fee.

Ownership laws

Local laws, such as animal control ordinances, are part of a city and/or county code. Ordinances often include sections on animal cruelty, ownership, at-large regulations, mandatory spaying/neutering, and cat licensing. For community cats, the inclusion or omission of just a few words in these laws can be the difference between life and death. Many local laws are punitive, and organisations such as Alley Cat Allies seek to change them into positive laws that save animals and meet the needs of cats, caregivers, owners, and the community at large.

Local laws are the most likely to have a direct impact on cats. All laws are public information, and can be found online. Ordinances and laws pertaining to cats are usually found under the heading of Health or Animal Control. Local ordinances are enacted by counties, townships, cities and other entities with only local enforcement. Ordinances apply only to the jurisdiction that enacted them.

There are three levels of U.S. law: federal, state, and local. Federal laws apply to everyone in the country and are enacted by the US Congress and enforced by federal agencies; state laws are enacted by the 50 state legislatures and are enforced by in-state law enforcement agencies. Both local ordinances and state or regional laws have profound impacts on cats, and on the people caring for them.

Alley Cat Allies advocates for lifesaving legislation at every level of government. They can help you locate your local ordinances and state or regional laws, and make recommendations on what changes would protect cats.

At-large regulations

Local laws, such as local animal control ordinances, are part of a city and/or county code. Ordinances often include sections on animal cruelty, ownership, at-large regulations, mandatory spay/neuter, and cat licensing. For community cats, the inclusion or omission of just a few words in these laws can be the difference between life and death. Many local laws are punitive. We seek to change them into positive laws that save animals and meet the needs of cats, caregivers, owners, and the community at large.

The specific details of at-large regulations can vary from city to city. Some cities may have more stringent requirements, such as mandatory microchipping or strict licensing fees, while others may take a more relaxed approach. It is important for cat owners and caregivers to familiarise themselves with the local laws in their area to ensure they are in compliance. Resources such as the Alley Cat Allies' Advocacy Toolkit and model ordinances guide can help individuals understand and advocate for cat-friendly laws in their communities.

Mandatory spay/neuter laws

Local laws, such as local animal control ordinances, are part of a city and/or county code. Ordinances often include sections on animal cruelty, ownership, at-large regulations, mandatory spay/neuter, and cat licensing. These laws should apply to all cats, not just owned, family animals. For community cats, the inclusion or omission of just a few words in these laws can be the difference between life and death. Many local laws are punitive.

There are three levels of U.S. law: federal, state, and local. Federal laws apply to everyone in the country and are enacted by the US Congress and enforced by federal agencies; state laws are enacted by the 50 state legislatures and are enforced by in-state law enforcement agencies; and local ordinances are enacted by counties, townships, cities and other entities with only local enforcement. Ordinances apply only to the jurisdiction that enacted them.

All laws are public information. You can find animal cruelty laws for all 50 states through the ASPCA’s main website. Most local laws are posted on the internet by the government entity that enacted it. A particular code that you need should be available on the website of the town, city, township, or county no matter how long ago it was enacted. Ordinances and laws pertaining to cats are usually found under the heading of Health or Animal Control.

Alley Cat Allies advocates for lifesaving legislation at every level of government. They can help you locate your local ordinances and state or regional laws, and make recommendations on what changes would protect cats.

Cat licensing laws

Local laws, such as local animal control ordinances, are part of a city and/or county code. Ordinances often include sections on animal cruelty, ownership, at-large regulations, mandatory spay/neuter, and cat licensing. For community cats, the inclusion or omission of just a few words in these laws can be the difference between life and death. Many local laws are punitive.

Local laws are the most likely to have a direct impact on cats. All laws are public information. You can find animal cruelty laws for all 50 states through the ASPCA’s main website. Most local laws are posted on the internet by the government entity that enacted them. A particular code that you need should be available on the website of the town, city, township, or county no matter how long ago it was enacted. Ordinances and laws pertaining to cats are usually found under the heading of Health or Animal Control.

There are three levels of U.S. law: federal, state, and local. Federal laws apply to everyone in the country and are enacted by the US Congress and enforced by federal agencies; state laws are enacted by the 50 state legislatures and are enforced by in-state law enforcement agencies; and local ordinances are enacted by counties, townships, cities and other entities with only local enforcement. Ordinances apply only to the jurisdiction that enacted them.

Alley Cat Allies advocates for lifesaving legislation at every level of government. They can help you locate your local ordinances and state or regional laws, and make recommendations on what changes would protect cats.

Frequently asked questions