Gilbert, AZ Animal Ordinances: Cat Rules (2026)

Section 6-102, 'Stray dogs and cats,' sits in Division 4 (Impoundment) of Chapter 6, Article II, and traces to Code 1984 § 13-2-8(B). Unlike the flat command for dogs, 'Any stray dogs shall be impounded', the section does not independently order cats to be picked up off the street; Gilbert's leash-and-at-large enforcement under §§ 6-60 and 6-101 is written for dogs, and no parallel at-large or licensing requirement applies to cats under this article (only dogs must carry a vaccination certificate and license under § 6-59).

Once a cat does end up impounded, § 6-102 requires the town to give it the same proper care and maintenance as an impounded dog. Section 6-103 sets the hold period: a stray cat must be kept at the pound a minimum of 72 hours unless claimed by its owner, after which any person may purchase the cat by paying all pound fees and, for dogs, complying with licensing and vaccination requirements, a step § 6-103 does not impose on cat purchasers since cats are not licensed.

Cats destined for medical research are exempt from any license-or-vaccination step. If not purchased or reclaimed, § 6-104 lets the enforcement agent take possession and place the cat for sale or dispose of it humanely, and § 6-105 restricts humane destruction of any impounded dog or cat to sodium pentobarbital (or a derivative), nitrogen gas, or T-61 euthanasia solution.