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Anchorage, AK Animal Ordinances: Cat Rules (2026)

Some Restrictions
Compiled from the official code textEditor Martyn O'NeillLast verified September 2026

Key Facts

Rule type
ID required, no license
Age threshold
Cats over 4 months old
Accepted ID
Collar tag or microchip
First offense fine
$50
Repeat offense fine
$100 (3rd+)

Summary

Anchorage doesn't license cats like dogs, but every cat over four months old must wear an ID tag or carry a microchip whenever it isn't confined to the owner's property, per Municipal Code 17.10.012.

The owner or custodian of a cat over the age of four months shall maintain an identification worn by the cat at all times except:

1. When the cat is on the private property of the owner or custodian; or 2. When the cat, under control by leash or control by confinement, is either in a public place or on the private property of another.

B. Identification must be either a collar or tag which includes the current name, address and telephone number of the owner, or a microchip registering the owner. (AO No. 2001-158(S-4), § 1, 1-1-2003)

Source: Anchorage Animal Care and ControlView official code

Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: rev 5010260; v11 updated 2026-09-01).

Full Breakdown

Under AMC 17.10.012, the owner or custodian of a cat over four months old must keep identification on the cat at all times, with two exceptions: while the cat is confined on the owner's own property, or while it's leashed or otherwise confined on someone else's property or in public. Acceptable identification is a collar or tag carrying the owner's current name, address and phone number, or a microchip registered to the owner. Unlike dogs, which need a Municipality of Anchorage dog license under Chapter 17.15, cats are not subject to a licensing requirement -- identification is the only citywide mandate for cat owners.

Violations & Fines

Animal Care and Control cites unidentified cats on an escalating civil penalty schedule set in AMC 17.70.020: $50 for a first violation, $75 for a second, and $100 for each violation after that.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does Anchorage require a cat license like it does for dogs?
No. Chapter 17.15 licensing applies only to dogs. Cats just need identification under AMC 17.10.012 -- a collar tag or registered microchip.
Does my cat need a tag if it stays on my property?
No. AMC 17.10.012 exempts cats confined to the owner's or custodian's own private property from the ID requirement.

Sources & Official References

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All Anchorage rules

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