Amherst, NY Animal Ordinances: Cat Rules (2026)
Key Facts
- Adopted
- 12-2-2019, L.L. No. 21-2019
- Max penalty
- $250 fine or 15 days jail, or both
- TNVR status
- Legal Town-wide under § 99-20A
- Enforcement
- ACO, Amherst PD, Village Code Officials
- Caretaker exemption
- Exempt from leash, licensing, cat-limit laws
Summary
Amherst Code Chapter 99, Article II bars turning a cat loose: whoever harbors one must make a reasonable effort to keep it on the property and under control, stop it from yowling loudly enough to disturb neighbors, and clean up its droppings off other people's land. A 2019 local law separately legalizes Trap-Neuter-Vaccinate-Return Town-wide and shields registered community cat caretakers from several other animal laws.
Cats are prohibited within the Town except as follows: A. Any person harboring a cat shall make a reasonable effort to keep the animal on the premises and under the control of said person. B. No person shall harbor a cat which by its frequent yowling shall unreasonably disturb the comfort or repose of the community. C. Any person harboring a cat shall make a reasonable effort to expeditiously remove any droppings left by the cat on any public place or on any private property not under the control of said person.
Full Breakdown
L. No. 21-2019, first defines its terms in § 99-17: a "community cat" is any homeless, stray, feral or free-roaming cat, a "colony" is a group of one or more community cats, and a "community cat caretaker" provides care without being the cat's legal owner or harborer. 1 assigns enforcement to Village Code Enforcement Officials, the Town Animal Control Officer and the Amherst Police Department.
Violations & Fines
Under § 99-21, violating any provision of Article II is punishable, per offense, by a fine not to exceed $250, imprisonment for not more than 15 days, or both. Enforcement officers named in § 99-20.1 (Animal Control, Amherst Police, and Village Code Enforcement Officials within the Town) may issue and serve appearance tickets directly to the person in violation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I legally feed stray cats in Amherst?
Can the Town force removal of a feral cat colony I care for?
What happens if my cat roams and disturbs my neighbors?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Amherst
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Cat Rules in Nearby Cities
How other cities in Erie County handle cat rules.