Allegany County, MD Animal Ordinances: Cat Rules (2026)

Section 225-20, Cats, is the chapter's dedicated cat provision and sits apart from the dog-licensing scheme in §§ 225-17 through 225-19. Subsection A authorizes Animal Control Personnel to receive cats at the animal control shelter unless a cat poses a health threat to other confined animals, and after a confinement period of not less than 96 hours, to dispose of unclaimed cats "in a manner consistent with humane practices" and dispose of carcasses the same way § 225-12 handles dead dogs. Subsection B lets Animal Control enter adoption programs with responsible individuals or with the Allegany County Animal Welfare Society, though every such agreement needs the County Commissioners' approval.

Subsection C gives the Animal Shelter Manager authority to run a voluntary cat identification program, issuing ID tags for a fee, which functions as the closest thing to a cat "license" in the chapter but is not mandatory the way dog licensing is. Subsection D is the one mandatory duty on every cat owner: possessing valid proof of current rabies immunization issued by the Allegany County Health Department or by a duly licensed veterinarian, a duty that exists independent of whether the cat is ever surrendered to the shelter or enrolled in the tag program.