Bonner County, ID Animal Ordinances: Cat Rules (2026)

Section 10-531 is the cat-specific provision. Any dog or cat impounded for a violation of Title 10 can be reclaimed at any time before adoption by paying the impound fees, in an amount set from time to time by resolution of the Board of County Commissioners. The owner of an unvaccinated cat must obtain a rabies vaccination and give proof to the shelter within thirty days, and missing that proof is deemed a violation of the title. Unidentified impounded cats are held a minimum of three working days, after which they become the property of the shelter. Identified cats are held five working days. The shelter can mail a notice of impoundment to the last known address of an identified owner.

Adoption has its own terms. Under § 10-531 C the shelter can charge an adoption fee and a refundable deposit sufficient to cover the cost of vaccination and alteration. The new owner shows proof of rabies vaccination and alteration within thirty days, or within thirty days of the cat becoming six months of age, and the shelter then refunds the deposit and gives a certificate of compliance.

Cats also count in the multiple-animal rule. More than six adult cats, or a combination of dogs and cats exceeding six, on a parcel brings the owner under § 10-701, and under § 10-120 an adult cat is one more than six months of age. Section 10-712 B requires cats confined in cages to have litter pans and litter material, cleaned and changed as necessary to prevent odor and accumulation of urine and fecal matter, and § 10-712 C says cage confinement should not exceed twelve continuous hours except on veterinary advice, transport or enforced rest.

The leash rule in § 10-311 and the animal nuisance crime in § 10-310 are written for dogs. The humane treatment rules in § 10-410 apply to any animal, including a cat: no cruel treatment, no abandonment, and potable water and food at all times.