Skip to main content
CityRuleLookup
Key FactsOrdinance TextFull BreakdownViolationsFAQSourcesMore in Howard County

Howard County, IN Animal Ordinances: Cat Rules (2026)

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

Key Facts

Impoundment authority
Sec. 90.05(A)-(C)
Grounds
at large, nuisance, no rabies tag
Redemption window
5 days (Sec. 90.07)
Bite/rabies hold
minimum 10 days (Sec. 90.07(D))
Notice to owner
within 3 days (Sec. 90.06)
Max fine
$2,500 (Sec. 90.03(G))

Summary

Howard County treats stray or at-large cats the same as dogs under its apprehension rules. Section 90.05 authorizes the county to capture and impound any cat at large, any cat deemed a public nuisance, or any cat not wearing a required rabies vaccination tag in the unincorporated area.

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

It is the duty of persons and agencies, so authorized by the county to apprehend and impound: (A) Any dog or cat at large, or any dog or cat deemed a public nuisance. (B) Any dog not wearing a proper registration tag. (C) (1) Any dog or cat not wearing a proper rabies vaccination tag; or (2) Any animal which has bitten or is suspected of having bitten a person or which appears to have rabies.

View official code

Full Breakdown

05 folds cats into the same apprehension authority used for dogs. Division (A) authorizes impoundment of any dog or cat at large or deemed a public nuisance, division (B) covers dogs without a proper registration tag, and division (C) reaches any dog or cat not wearing a proper rabies vaccination tag, as well as any animal that has bitten or is suspected of having bitten a person or that appears to have rabies. 01. 07 gives the owner five days to redeem the cat by showing current registration and rabies tags and paying the impoundment and boarding fees the Department of Animal Services sets, after which the cat may be destroyed or transferred to the Department. 07(D).

Violations & Fines

A cat at large, lacking a rabies vaccination tag, or kept as part of a public nuisance can be impounded under Section 90.05, and the owner faces the Chapter 90 fine schedule of up to $2,500 under Section 90.03(G). The Ordinance Violations Bureau schedule at Section 10.98(C)(3)-(4) applies its $10 first-offense, $10-plus-$5 dog-and-cat ordinance citation schedule, and unredeemed cats can be destroyed after five days under Section 90.07(A)(3).

Frequently Asked Questions

Does Howard County require cat licenses?
Chapter 90 does not set up a separate cat licensing system. It regulates cats through the same at-large, public nuisance, permanent identification, and rabies tag rules that apply to dogs, enforced through Section 90.05's apprehension authority rather than a standalone license requirement.
How long do I have to get my cat back from the pound?
Section 90.07(A) gives you five days from apprehension to redeem a healthy cat by showing a current registration tag and rabies vaccination tag and paying the impoundment and boarding fees. After five days, the cat may be destroyed or given to the Department of Animal Services.
What if my cat is impounded after biting someone?
Section 90.07(D) requires the cat to be held under observation for at least ten days rather than the normal five-day redemption window, unless it is first assessed as dangerous or potentially dangerous, in which case the dangerous-dog provisions of the chapter take over.

Sources & Official References

Other rules in Howard County

Parking Rules: Street Parking LimitsSome RestrictionsDog Leash LawsSome RestrictionsParking Rules: RV & Boat ParkingSome RestrictionsPet LimitsSome RestrictionsBreed RestrictionsHeavy RestrictionsExotic PetsHeavy RestrictionsMicrochippingSome RestrictionsNoise Ordinances: Barking DogsSome RestrictionsParking Rules: Loading ZonesSome RestrictionsParking Rules: Abandoned VehiclesSome RestrictionsParking Rules: Commercial & Oversized VehiclesSome Restrictions

All Howard County rules

Compare Howard County to another location·View the Indiana animal ordinances overview

Get notified when Cat Rules in Howard County, IN changes

We'll email you the moment we detect a change in the code. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.

We'll never sell or share your email. One-click unsubscribe in every email.

See something wrong?

Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.