Albuquerque, NM Animal Ordinances: Cat Rules (2026)
Key Facts
- At-large ban
- No cat may roam unconfined
- Leash limit
- 8 feet max when out with owner
- Microchip required
- By age 3 months, registered with AACC
- Rabies tag
- Required on collar/harness off-property
- Max penalty
- $500 fine and/or 90 days
Summary
Albuquerque bans letting cats roam free and requires every cat over three months old to be microchipped and registered with the city's Animal Welfare Department, with citation and impoundment for violations.
No Person shall cause or allow any Animal, other than Wild Animals not owned by any human, to be At Large whether or not it is accompanied by its Owner. Unattended Companion Animals are to be restricted by a Secure Fence, in a Secure Facility, Secure Enclosure, secured in the back of a pickup truck, or be inside a vehicle with proper ventilation. Companion Animals accompanied by a Person must be restrained by a leash no longer than eight feet long held by a Person capable of controlling the Animal or contained by an invisible fence.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: 2026 S-95: Current through Ordinance 2026-010, passed 4-6-2026).
Full Breakdown
Under the Humane and Ethical Animal Rules and Treatment (HEART) ordinance, cats count as Companion Animals and are covered by the same at-large ban as dogs: unattended cats must be kept behind a secure fence or in a secure enclosure, and any cat taken outside with a person must be on a leash no longer than eight feet or contained by an invisible fence. Separately, every Albuquerque resident's cat over three months old must have a microchip implanted and registered with the Animal Welfare Department (AACC), and must wear a collar or harness with a current rabies tag whenever off the owner's property.
Violations & Fines
Violating the at-large or microchip requirements is a petty misdemeanor under ROA § 1-1-99: up to a $500 fine and/or 90 days imprisonment, with each day treated as a separate offense; at-large cats can be seized and impounded.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Albuquerque require a cat license?
Can I let my cat roam outside unsupervised?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Albuquerque
Compare Albuquerque to another location·View the New Mexico animal ordinances overview
See something wrong?
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.