Boone County, KY Animal Ordinances: Cat Rules (2026)
Key Facts
- Coverage
- Unincorporated Boone County only
- Community cat exception
- Ear-tipped cats exempt from at-large ban
- Cat license
- Not required (only dangerous dogs register)
- Rabies vaccination
- Required at 4 months, § 91.18
- Standard impound hold
- Minimum 3 days for cats, § 91.15(F)
- TNR live-outcome
- Return-to-field allowed for community cats
Summary
Boone County, Kentucky treats free-roaming cats differently depending on whether they are ear-tipped community cats. An ear-tipped community cat is exempt from the running-at-large ban and, once impounded, may be returned to the field instead of held for adoption, unlike an unmarked stray cat, which must be held at least three days under § 91.15(F).
Any cat impounded in the animal shelter shall be held for a minimum of three days, except for community cats where there is a live-outcome option, such as return to field, adoption, foster care or rescue transfer, or unless it is earlier claimed by its owner. If the animal remains in the shelter after three days of impoundment, the animal may then continue to be offered for adoption or may be euthanized at the discretion of the Director of Animal Services.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: 2025 S-28: Supplement contains: Local legislation current through Ordinance 2025-20, passed 6-17-25; and State legislation current through KRS 2025).
Full Breakdown
01 defines a COMMUNITY CAT as any free-roaming cat with no apparent owner that may be cared for by area residents and "may or may not be feral," and an EAR-TIPPED CAT as one that has been spayed or neutered and is identified by having the tip of its left ear cropped. 20(A). 17. 18 requires every cat four months or older to be vaccinated for rabies and re-vaccinated when the immunization period expires. 15(F): any impounded cat is held a minimum of three days, but a community cat qualifies for a "live-outcome option, such as return to field, adoption, foster care or rescue transfer" instead of the standard hold, reflecting the county's trap-neuter-return approach. 20.
Violations & Fines
There is no separate cat-license fine because Boone County does not license cats. A cat that is not ear-tipped and is picked up running at large under § 91.20(A) exposes its owner to the fine set at § 91.99(F): $25 to $100 for a first offense and $50 to $100 for a second or subsequent offense, plus any boarding, administration and medical fees charged under § 91.15.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to license my cat in Boone County, Kentucky?
What is a community cat under Boone County's ordinance?
What happens if Animal Control picks up a community cat?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Boone County
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