Bakersfield encourages but does not strictly mandate cat licensing through Chapter 6. Cats running at large face impoundment, and rabies vaccinations are required for all cats over four months old per California Health and Safety Code.
Bakersfield Animal Care offers voluntary cat licensing tied to rabies vaccination records, which helps reunite lost cats with owners. Unlike dogs, free-roaming cats are common and not automatically cited at large, but Animal Care impounds nuisance cats causing property damage or health hazards. Owners must vaccinate cats for rabies starting at four months under California Health and Safety Code Section 121690. Trap-Neuter-Return colony caretakers should coordinate with local rescue groups. Indoor confinement is encouraged because of coyote, raptor, and traffic risks in outlying neighborhoods.
Failure to vaccinate cats against rabies can result in fines up to 250 dollars and quarantine orders. Nuisance cats may be impounded with reclaim fees of 30 to 60 dollars.
Bakersfield, CA
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Bakersfield, CA
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See how Bakersfield's cat rules rules stack up against other locations.
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