Tulare County, CA Animal Ordinances: Cat Rules (2026)

Cats receive far lighter treatment than dogs in unincorporated Tulare County. Section 4-07-1400 defines a "Cat" simply as any domestic cat (Felis catus) and lists cats among "Domestic Animals" and "Pets." Unlike dogs, the county code does not impose a mandatory cat license, does not cap the number of cats per household, and does not contain a cat-specific leash or running-at-large provision comparable to the dog rule in Section 4-07-5000. The code's main cat-related concept is the "Feral Animal" definition, which covers any dog or cat living in a wild or semi-wild state without an owner, or that has escaped domestication for a substantial period. General provisions of Chapter 4-7, such as humane care, rabies-related public-health rules, and impoundment procedures, still apply to cats, and the county encourages sterilization to reduce unwanted litters. Owners should note that rabies vaccination and licensing requirements are written primarily around dogs; cat owners are nonetheless expected to keep their animals from becoming a nuisance and to comply with state animal-cruelty and rabies-control laws. Because there is no county cat-at-large rule, an indoor-outdoor cat is generally not cited the way a loose dog would be, though the cat may still be impounded if found in violation of other provisions.