Merced County, CA Animal Ordinances: Cat Rules (2026)

The County's animal regulations apply to cats as well as dogs. Per the Merced County Vaccinations page, in the unincorporated areas of Merced County the law requires all owned dogs and cats over the age of three (3) months to be vaccinated for rabies. Cats also count toward the household pet limit: a household may keep up to four dogs or cats over four months of age, and five or more requires a special permit (a cattery permit for cats). No fetched County source imposes a cat leash law or a confinement/curfew requirement specific to cats, so free-roaming owned cats are not generally prohibited at the County level — though cats still may not be allowed to become a nuisance, and trapping provisions exist (the animal control manager may rent live traps to the public under Section 7.04.190(M)). The County animal shelter will not adopt out a cat that has not been spayed or neutered, and cats redeemed after a third impound within 12 months must be sterilized before release (Section 7.04.190). For licensing and vaccination clinics, contact Merced County Animal Services.