Boise, ID Animal Ordinances: Cat Rules (2026)

Under Boise City Code section 5-1-8(B), it's unlawful to let an unspayed or unneutered cat 4 months or older run at large on city streets, alleys, or public places; a fixed or intact cat also can't be on private property without that owner's consent. Section 5-1-13(E) separately deems any unspayed or unneutered cat over 4 months left outdoors unsupervised a nuisance. When the Animal Shelter seizes such a cat, it may spay or neuter it, mark the ear, and release it back where it was found rather than hold it, and a microchipped or collared cat can be released in the field near its home at the officer's discretion. Boise does not require an individual cat license (only dogs are individually licensed under section 5-1-6); keeping 5 or more cats, or 4-plus cats combined with dogs, in one household requires a noncommercial kennel license under section 5-1-9.