Cranston, RI Animal Ordinances: Cat Rules (2026)
Key Facts
- Cat limit
- Four per address
- Exemption
- Licensed kennel or pet shop
- Impound fee
- $10 adult, $5 kitten
- First-offense fine
- $100.00
- Enforcement
- Cranston municipal court
Summary
Cranston caps cat ownership at four per address unless the property is licensed as a kennel or pet shop, with fees and fines enforced by animal control.
It shall be unlawful for any person or persons at the same address to own or keep within the city more than four cats, unless the premises are lawfully used for a kennel or pet shop.
I. The animal control officer shall charge a fee, as specified in the following schedule, to be paid by the owner of any dog or cat taken to the animal shelter for the purpose of transferring title or for the disposal of said animal according to law.
Fee Schedule For each adult (six mos. or older) dog $20.00 For each puppy $5.00 For each adult (six mos. or older) cat $10.00 For each kitten $5.00
(Prior code § 4-20; Ord. 04-29 § 3; Ord. 2016-24, § 1, 7/25/2016)
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: rev 4824304; v14 updated 2026-05-18).
Full Breakdown
Cranston Code § 6.08.190(H) makes it unlawful for any person or persons at the same address to own or keep more than four cats, unless the premises are lawfully used for a kennel or pet shop. Cats over four months old must be vaccinated under § 6.08.160, and an unvaccinated cat found in the city can be impounded up to fifteen days under § 6.08.170. When the animal control officer takes a cat to the shelter, the owner pays $10.00 to reclaim an adult cat or $5.00 for a kitten under § 6.08.190(I), on top of any fine for the underlying violation.
Violations & Fines
First offense $100; second offense $200 plus seizure; third and later offenses $400 plus seizure, cited under § 6.08.230 to Cranston municipal court.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many cats can I legally own in Cranston?
What does it cost to get an impounded cat back in Cranston?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Cranston
Compare Cranston to another location·View the Rhode Island animal ordinances overview
See something wrong?
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.
Cat Rules in Nearby Cities
How other cities in this county handle cat rules.