Austin City Code Chapter 3-2 requires cats over four months old to be licensed and currently vaccinated against rabies under Texas Health & Safety Code Chapter 826. Austin Animal Services supports community cat trap-neuter-return programs alongside its No-Kill mission.
Austin treats cats and dogs similarly under Title 3. Owners must license each cat older than four months with Austin Animal Services. A current rabies vaccination administered by a Texas-licensed veterinarian is required statewide under Health & Safety Code Chapter 826 before licensing; certificates must be retained. Licensed cats receive a tag that should be displayed on a collar when outdoors. Austin formally supports community cat programs and recognizes registered TNR caretakers, who ear-tip sterilized colony cats. Indoor-only cats still need rabies vaccination but enforcement focuses on cats found at large. Lost cats impounded without identification face shorter hold periods than tagged animals before transfer to rescue partners.
Failure to license or vaccinate carries fines starting at fifty dollars and rising for repeat offenses. Impoundment fees, board, and vaccination must be paid before reclaim. Untagged cats may be held briefly before rescue transfer.
Austin, TX
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Austin, TX
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See how Austin's cat rules rules stack up against other locations.
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