Dearborn County, IN Animal Ordinances: Cat Rules (2026)

Dearborn County handles free-roaming cats through Section 90.20 of its Code, adopted by the Board of Commissioners. A cat qualifies as a community cat only if it is ear tipped, sterilized and has received at least one vaccination against rabies. A cat that meets those terms is exempt from the licensing, stray, abandonment and at large provisions that apply to owned animals in Chapter 90. Section 90.02 separately defines a FERAL CAT as one with no apparent owner or identification that is wild, untamed and unable to be approached or handled, and it excludes community cat caregivers from the definition of OWNER.

Caregivers are responsible for the ear tipping, sterilization and rabies vaccination, must follow federal and state law, and must have any medical procedure performed under the supervision of a licensed veterinarian. They must make every effort to booster the rabies vaccination per the manufacturer's instructions and to minimize the impact on local wildlife. Feeding rules are specific: feed the proper quantity for the number of cats in appropriate containers, discard food containers daily, and feed only on their own property or with the permission of another landowner. Caregivers can redeem community cats from P.A.W.S. without proof of ownership and are exempt from charges and fees, and can return a cat to its original location only after the requirements of § 90.20(A)(1) are met and the property owner agrees.

Owned cats are treated differently. Section 90.34(A) states there is no licensing requirement for cats, though licensing is recommended. Section 90.49(B) requires all dogs, cats and ferrets four months of age and older to be vaccinated against rabies, with revaccination within 12 months for annual-booster vaccines or within 36 months where the label recommends a one-year booster and triennial boosters after. Section 90.17(A) makes it unlawful to let any animal other than community cats run at large. Adopted cats must be spayed or neutered under § 90.21(B).