Augusta-Richmond County, GA Animal Ordinances: Cat Rules (2026)
Key Facts
- Governing law
- Tit. 4, § 4-1-21, Augusta-Richmond County Code
- At-large duty
- Cats must be kept under owner's control
- TNR policy
- County does not sanction TNR colonies
- Enforcement trigger
- No pursuit of outdoor cats absent complaint
- Vaccination
- Rabies shot required by 4 months old
Summary
Augusta-Richmond County requires cat owners keep their cats under control and off other people's property, but the county does not sanction outdoor Trap-Neuter-Return colonies and won't pursue free-roaming cats without a complaint.
(a) It shall be unlawful for any animal to be out of control and/or unattended off the premises of its owner, and/or upon the premises of another person without the permission of such other person. ... (e) Augusta, Georgia does not sanction Trap-Neuter-Return/TNR programs at this time, in the interest of reducing the outside cat population and the admission and euthanasia rates at the municipal shelter, Augusta, Georgia will not pursue outdoor cats without complaints.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Recodification).
Full Breakdown
Augusta-Richmond County Code Tit. 4, § 4-1-21 makes it unlawful for any dog or cat to be out of control or unattended off its owner's premises, or on another person's property without permission. Strays are impounded by Animal Services under § 4-1-23, and cats over four months old must be currently vaccinated against rabies under § 4-1-17. The county takes an unusual middle position on feral cats: § 4-1-21(e) states it does not sanction Trap-Neuter-Return colonies, but Animal Services also will not proactively pursue outdoor cats absent a filed complaint.
Violations & Fines
Enforced by Augusta Animal Services, which may impound cats found at large under § 4-1-23; general Code violations are misdemeanors punishable per Code § 1-6-1.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Augusta-Richmond County require cat licenses?
Can I run a feral cat TNR colony in Augusta-Richmond County?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Augusta-Richmond County
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