Bloomington, IL Animal Ordinances: Cat Rules (2026)
Key Facts
- Cat at large
- illegal off-premises without control
- At-large penalty
- same as § 8-206 ($50-$500)
- Registration required
- with McLean County
- Registration fine
- $250/$500/$1,000 escalating
- Unclaimed after
- 7 business days becomes county property
Summary
In the City of Bloomington, cats must stay on their owner's premises unless under physical control, and every dog or cat must carry current McLean County registration and rabies vaccination proof, with registration fines running from $250 to $1,000 per offense.
It shall be illegal for the owner of any cat, or anyone having any cat in their possession or custody, to allow the cat to leave the premises of the owner or custodian, unless it is under the physical control of such person. ... The penalties for violation of this section shall be the same as the penalties established in § 8-206B. ... It shall be illegal for any person to own or have in his or her possession or custody a dog or cat which is not currently registered with McLean County, Illinois as required by applicable law. Any person owning or having a dog or cat in his or her possession or custody must have displayed upon the dog or cat, or in the immediate possession of the person then in control of the dog, proof that the dog or cat has been vaccinated by a licensed veterinarian, which must be displayed upon demand by a City of Bloomington Police Officer or Animal Control Officer of McLean County, Illinois. ... The penalty for violation of this section shall be $250 for a first offense, $500 for a second offense, and $1000 for third and subsequent offenses.
Full Breakdown
B. A requires that every dog or cat be currently registered with McLean County and that proof of vaccination by a licensed veterinarian be displayed on the animal or carried by the person in control of it, shown on demand to a Bloomington Police Officer or a McLean County Animal Control Officer; a current metal vaccination tag creates a presumption of registration unless the officer has information otherwise. Officers may summarily seize any dog or cat as a public nuisance if proof of current vaccination or registration is not shown, and the animal is not released until McLean County registration is paid; an unclaimed animal becomes county property after seven business days.
C exempts cats and dogs temporarily in the city for a public exhibition or show if the sponsor gave prior written notice to the City Clerk and the McLean County Health Department.
Violations & Fines
Letting a cat run at large under § 8-207 draws the same fine as a dog at-large violation in § 8-206.B: $50 to $500 for a first offense and $75 to $500 for each later offense. Failing to register a dog or cat under § 8-210 is fined $250 for a first offense, $500 for a second, and $1,000 for third and later offenses, and an unregistered or unvaccinated animal can be seized on the spot.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can cats roam freely in Bloomington?
Do cats need to be registered?
Can police seize an unregistered cat?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Bloomington
Compare Bloomington to another location·View the Illinois animal ordinances overview
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