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Henrico County, VA Animal Ordinances: Cat Rules (2026)

Some Restrictions
Compiled from the official code textEditor Martyn O'NeillLast verified July 2026

Key Facts

Cat license
Not required
Rabies shot
Required over 4 months (Sec. 5-90)
Deadline
Within 30 days
Cat leash
No county rule
Feral cats
Handled under Sec. 5-154

Summary

Henrico County does not license or leash cats, but Sec. 5-90 makes it unlawful to keep any dog or cat four months or older without a current rabies vaccination administered by a licensed veterinarian. Feral cats without identification may be handled by Animal Protection under Sec. 5-154.

These county ordinances apply to unincorporated areas of Henrico County. Incorporated cities within the county may have their own rules that take precedence over county-level regulations.

It is unlawful for any person to own, keep or harbor any dog or cat four months of age or older within the county unless such dog or cat has been vaccinated with a species-appropriate vaccine approved by the U.S. Department of Agriculture and administered by a licensed veterinarian.

View official code

Full Breakdown

Cats are 'companion animals' under Sec. 5-1 and are not subject to the dog license (Sec. 5-49) or the running-at-large ban (Sec. 5-29, which is dog-specific). The chief county mandate for cats is rabies control: Sec. 5-90(a) bars owning, keeping or harboring any cat four months or older that is not vaccinated with a USDA-approved, veterinarian-administered rabies vaccine, and Sec. 5-90(e) requires vaccination within 30 days of acquiring the cat or moving into the county. A rabies certificate must be kept and shown on request. Feral cats not bearing a collar, tag, tattoo or other identification may be handled by the county pound under Sec. 5-154. Henrico has no separate cat-leash or TNR ordinance.

Violations & Fines

Keeping an unvaccinated cat over four months violates Sec. 5-90 (a Class-level misdemeanor under state rabies law). No cat-license or cat-leash offense exists. Feral cats without ID may be impounded.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to license or vaccinate my cat in Henrico?
No license, but yes to rabies: Sec. 5-90 makes it unlawful to keep a cat four months or older without a current, vet-administered rabies vaccination, done within 30 days of ownership.
Are cats required to be leashed or confined?
No. The running-at-large ban (Sec. 5-29) applies only to dogs, and Henrico has no cat-leash or trap-neuter-return ordinance. Rabies vaccination is the key cat requirement.

Sources & Official References

Other rules in Henrico County

Noise Ordinances: Quiet HoursSome RestrictionsNoise Ordinances: Construction HoursSome RestrictionsDog Leash LawsHeavy RestrictionsChickens & LivestockSome RestrictionsMandatory Spay/NeuterSome RestrictionsBird ProtectionSome RestrictionsBeekeepingFew RestrictionsExotic PetsHeavy RestrictionsBreed RestrictionsSome RestrictionsPet LimitsSome RestrictionsNoise Ordinances: Aircraft NoiseFew RestrictionsNoise Ordinances: Leaf Blower RulesSome RestrictionsNoise Ordinances: Barking DogsSome RestrictionsNoise Ordinances: Amplified Music & Outdoor SoundSome Restrictions

All Henrico County rules

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