Volusia County, FL Animal Ordinances: Cat Rules (2026)

Section 14-31 defines a feral cat or dog as one born wild or reverted to a wild state, showing an uncared-for condition, inability to be handled without injury, violent or aggressive behavior, or no observable ownership identification such as a tag or microchip. The code separately defines a feral cat volunteer as a person assisting the county's trap-neuter/spay-return program, expressly stating that volunteer status does not make that person the animal's owner or caregiver as long as the cat remains free-roaming and is not sheltered or fed by the volunteer.

A trap-neuter/spay-release or TNR program is defined as trapping feral cats, sterilizing, eartipping, and rabies-vaccinating them, then returning them to their original impoundment location, which is the mechanism the county uses instead of routine removal for colony cats. Once an animal is actually impounded, however, section 14-62 controls: animals not redeemed within three business days become county property, and feral animals lacking a valid county license or microchip may be humanely euthanized upon impoundment rather than held for the standard redemption period. Any person redeeming an impounded cat must pay impoundment, boarding and license fees, and the animal must carry a current rabies vaccination and license before release.

The animal services division may waive or extend the standard hold period at its discretion to relieve suffering or limit disease spread. This chapter applies only in unincorporated Volusia County and is enforced by the Animal Services Division.