Eagan, MN Animal Ordinances: Cat Rules (2026)
Key Facts
- Governing section
- Eagan City Code § 10.11, Subd. 1, 6, 10
- No cat license
- Licensing under Subd. 3 covers dogs only
- Feces rule
- Cannot accumulate over 24 hours on premises
- Rabies age
- Required at four months of age or older
- Bite quarantine
- Ten days in a proper enclosure
- Enforcement
- Eagan Police Department animal control officers
Summary
In the City of Eagan, cats are not licensed the way dogs are, but Eagan City Code § 10.11 still bars letting a cat's waste sit for more than 24 hours, requires rabies inoculation for cats four months or older, and treats an at-large cat as a matter for animal control.
Cat means any domesticated feline animal, male or female, whole or neutered. ... Subd. ... 6.Public nuisance. It is unlawful for the owner of any dog, cat, or miniature pig to:A.Unlawful acts. It is unlawful for the owner of any dog, cat or miniature pig to: ... 3.Permit dog, cat, or miniature pig feces to accumulate on the owner's premises for more than 24 hours; ... Subd. ... 10.Rabies control.A.Inoculation. Any owner of a dog, cat, ferret, or miniature pig four or more months of age must have such dog, cat, ferret, or miniature pig inoculated against rabies in accordance with this subdivision and possess a certificate of a veterinarian duly licensed to practice veterinary medicine in the state; which certificate shall state the date on which the animal was inoculated against rabies and the date on which the inoculation expires, thereby establishing that the dog, cat, ferret, or miniature pig has a current inoculation against rabies.
Full Breakdown
Eagan City Code § 10.11, Subd. 1 defines "cat" as any domesticated feline, whole or neutered, and folds cats into the same at-large, leash, and impoundment scheme that governs dogs and ferrets: a cat off its owner's property must be on a leash or chain, and an animal control officer or police officer may seize a cat found running loose. Unlike dogs, cats are not subject to the city's licensing and tag requirements in Subd. 3, which apply only to dogs four months of age or older; nothing in section 10.11 requires a cat license, tag, or registration fee.
Subd. 6's public nuisance rule makes it unlawful for a cat's owner to let feces accumulate on the owner's premises for more than 24 hours, on top of bans on damaging or defecating on public or another's property. Subd. 10's rabies control rule requires every cat four months of age or older to be currently inoculated against rabies, with a veterinarian's certificate showing the inoculation and expiration dates. If a cat bites someone, its owner must produce that certificate and quarantine the cat for ten days in a proper enclosure; failing to provide current proof means the cat cannot be released from quarantine until a licensed veterinarian examines it and confirms it is rabies-free.
Violations & Fines
A violation of section 10.11's cat provisions, from unvaccinated cats to feces left on the owner's premises past 24 hours, is a misdemeanor under the chapter's general penalty clause, Eagan City Code § 10.99. The Eagan Police Department's animal control officers can seize an at-large or unvaccinated cat, and a bite incident triggers a mandatory ten-day quarantine at the owner's expense.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to license my cat in Eagan?
How long can cat waste sit in my yard before it's a violation?
What proof does my cat need after a rabies vaccination?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Eagan
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