Grand Junction, CO Animal Ordinances: Cat Rules (2026)

Grand Junction's Chapter 6.12 Dogs and Cats requires, under § 6.12.030(a), that no person own, keep or harbor a dog or cat over four months old in the City unless it is vaccinated against rabies, with revaccination on the schedule in the national Compendium of Animal Rabies Control. A veterinarian who vaccinates a cat must give the owner written certification of the vaccination, per subsection (b); unlike a dog, a cat is not required to carry a County license certificate or tag, since § 6.12.030(b) directs the County licensing and tag process specifically to dogs.

Anyone moving into the City with a cat over four months old must comply with the vaccination requirement within 30 days. If a cat has bitten a person or animal in the last 10 days, its owner must report that to the vaccinating veterinarian and to the Animal Services Center, and the cat cannot be vaccinated until the 10-day observation period ends, per subsection (a). Under § 6.12.100(f)(7), a cat known or credibly alleged to have bitten someone must be immediately impounded or quarantined for observation for 10 days after the bite, during which it cannot have contact with anyone outside the immediate family, cannot be removed from the quarantine location without Animal Services authorization, and cannot be vaccinated, transferred in ownership, or euthanized without that authorization. Harboring an unvaccinated cat, or one whose vaccination has lapsed, violates § 6.12.030(f).