Imperial County, CA Animal Ordinances: Cat Rules (2026)
Key Facts
- Cat license
- not required (dogs only)
- At-large cats
- may be captured by officers
- Destruction
- authorized if judged necessary
- Cat trap rental
- $5/week, $20 deposit
- Applies to
- unincorporated county only
Summary
Imperial County doesn't license cats, but officers may capture any cat found running at large in the unincorporated area and are authorized to destroy it if judged necessary for public health and safety.
It is made the duty of all such officers and persons to capture and hold for further action by the county health officer or the county veterinarian all dogs or cats found running at large upon the public highways, lands, places or streets in the unincorporated territory of the county of Imperial in violation of the provisions of this title; and said officers and persons hereinabove mentioned are authorized and empowered to kill and destroy such dogs or cats as in the judgement of the officers and persons might be necessary for the preservation of the public health and safety.B.During the period of county-wide quarantine all stray dogs and cats captured by the proper authorities shall be destroyed or sheltered according to the provisions of Sections 6.12.130 and 6.08.090. (Prior code § 54501)
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 62 - 9-25).
Full Breakdown
Unlike dogs, cats carry no county licensing requirement under Title 6: licensing under Chapter 6.08 applies to dogs only. Cats are addressed instead through capture and rabies-control authority: Section 6.04.080 directs county officers to seize any dog or cat found running at large on public highways, lands or streets, and empowers them to kill and destroy the animal if the officer judges it necessary for public health and safety. The health department also rents cat traps for $5 per week with a $20 deposit under Section 6.04.040.
Violations & Fines
A cat picked up running at large in the unincorporated county can be held by animal control and, at an officer's judgment, destroyed for public health and safety; there's no license-redemption process for cats as there is for dogs.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Imperial County require a cat license?
What happens if county officers catch a stray cat?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Imperial County
California rules heatmap·Compare Imperial County to another location·View the California animal ordinances overview
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