Boston does not require cat licenses, but cats must be vaccinated against rabies under MGL Ch. 140 §145B. Owners are liable for damage their cats cause and Animal Control may impound stray cats.
Unlike dogs, Boston cats are not required to be licensed at City Hall. However, Massachusetts law (MGL Ch. 140 §145B) requires every cat over six months old to be vaccinated against rabies by a licensed veterinarian. Owners must keep proof of vaccination and present it on request. Boston Animal Control responds to reports of nuisance cats, injured strays, and feral colonies; managed Trap-Neuter-Return programs operate through partner rescues. Boston Code Ch. 16-1 prohibits any animal from running at large in a manner causing damage or sanitation problems, which Animal Control applies to chronic nuisance cats.
Failure to vaccinate against rabies is punishable by a fine up to $100 per offense under MGL Ch. 140 §145B; nuisance complaints may result in impoundment fees and citations.
Boston, MA
Boston has no blanket mandatory spay-neuter ordinance, but every dog or cat adopted from Boston Animal Care and Control must be sterilized before release und...
Boston, MA
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See how Boston's cat rules rules stack up against other locations.
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