Bishop, CA Animal Ordinances: Cat Rules (2026)

Unincorporated Inyo County treats cats much more leniently than dogs. Inyo County Code Chapter 8.20's running-at-large provision applies to "any animal, wild or domestic, except the domestic cat," expressly exempting cats. As a result, there is no leash or confinement requirement for cats in the county, and free-roaming cats are not in themselves a code violation. Cats are also outside the dog-licensing regime: the County's licensing program (administered through DocuPet) requires licenses only for dogs, not cats. The County code does address cats in the shelter context. Under Inyo County Code Chapter 8.28, a person adopting an unaltered dog or cat from the county shelter must make a spay/neuter deposit in the amount set by the County, which can be redeemed by a veterinarian toward the cost of altering the animal or refunded on proof the animal was spayed or neutered within the required period (60 days for animals over six months, or by six months of age for younger animals). General nuisance rules still apply: even though cats may roam, an owner whose cats create unsanitary conditions or a public nuisance can be addressed under the County's animal-maintenance provisions.