Alameda, CA Animal Ordinances: Cat Rules (2026)

1 makes licensing a legal duty tied to the animal, not just the owner's preference: any person who owns, harbors, or has a dog or cat over four months old in the City must pay a license fee set by City Council resolution, and it is unlawful to keep an unlicensed cat past that age. A cat's license fee drops fifty percent if the cat is spayed or neutered, and drops to zero for owners under the HUD very-low-income threshold for the Oakland area; an additional late fee applies if the license is not obtained within forty-five days of when it becomes due.

2 requires the annual tag to be fastened to the collar or other device worn by the cat at all times in public, though the shelter's phone number and license number may be printed in permanent ink on the collar instead of using the tag. 5 bars the Supervising Animal Control Officer from issuing any license until a veterinarian's vaccination certificate is submitted. Cats under four months are exempt from vaccination but must be confined to the owner's premises or kept under physical restraint. 9 apply only to dogs by their own text; the code sets no citywide at-large or roaming restriction specific to cats.