Santa Rosa County, FL Animal Ordinances: Cat Rules (2026)

Owned cats are 'animals' under the county ordinance and must be vaccinated against rabies by a licensed veterinarian at four months of age or older. The county also formally recognizes Trap/Neuter/Return: a 'community cat' is any free-roaming cat that may be cared for by area residents. Community cats that are ear-tipped are sterilized and have received at least one rabies vaccination, and the ordinance exempts them from licensing, stray, abandonment, and at-large provisions aimed at owned animals. A community cat caregiver provides food and care without being the owner and may redeem community cats from the shelter without proof of ownership. Caregivers must minimize impact on wildlife and manage feeding responsibly.