Allen County, IN Animal Ordinances: Cat Rules (2026)
Key Facts
- Cats classified as
- Domestic animal (8-33-2-3)
- Stray fine
- Up to $500 per occurrence
- TNR exception
- Sterilized, vaccinated, ear-tipped
- Cat license
- Not required by county
- Program approval
- Allen County Sheriff
Summary
Cats are 'domestic animals' under Allen County's ordinance and are bound by the stray and nuisance rules. ACC 8-33-3-1 bars letting a cat stray beyond the premises, but exempts community cats that are sterilized, vaccinated, ear-tipped, and microchipped through an approved TNR program.
No Owner or Harborer/caregiver shall allow any animal to stray beyond their premises... Exceptions will be made only for cats that have been sterilized, vaccinated, ear-tipped, and microchipped through a community-based program approved by the Allen County Sheriff's Department. A person violating this section may be fined up to $500.00 per occurrence.
Full Breakdown
The Allen County Animal Control Ordinance (Title 8, Article 33) includes cats in its definition of domestic animals (ACC 8-33-2-3). Section 8-33-3-1 provides that no owner or caregiver shall allow any animal to stray beyond their premises unless it is under reasonable control, with a specific exception for cats 'that have been sterilized, vaccinated, ear-tipped, and microchipped through a community-based program approved by the Allen County Sheriff's Department.' This recognizes managed trap-neuter-return (TNR) colonies. Cats can also be public nuisance animals under ACC 8-33-2-9 (attacks, property damage, or noise). The county sets no cat-license requirement and no numeric cat limit; incorporated towns may differ. A straying cat outside the TNR exception may be impounded.
Violations & Fines
Allowing a cat to stray outside the TNR exception violates ACC 8-33-3-1, fined up to $500 per occurrence, with possible impoundment. Cats causing attacks, damage, or noise are citable as public nuisance animals up to $1,500 per occurrence.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can my cat roam freely in Allen County?
Does Allen County require a cat license?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Allen County
Compare Allen County to another location·View the Indiana animal ordinances overview
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