Independence, MO Animal Ordinances: Cat Rules (2026)
Key Facts
- Colony cap
- 10 cats (res/comm/industrial)
- Colony cap
- 15 cats (agricultural zoning)
- Neighbor consent
- 80% within 200 ft for 5+
- Buffer
- quarter mile from wildlife areas
- Required
- ear-tipping at sterilization
Summary
Independence allows caregivers to maintain community cat colonies under a TNR program, but requires ear-tipping and sterilization of every colony cat and 80 percent neighbor consent for colonies of five or more.
D. Caregivers of five or more community cats must obtain the permission of 80 percent of their neighbors located within 200 feet from the property where the cats will be maintained. E. It shall be unlawful to maintain a colony with more than ten community cats in areas zoned residential, commercial or industrial.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 13).
Full Breakdown
Independence permits organized TNR colonies under City Code § 3.03.012 rather than banning community cat feeding outright. Caregivers must sterilize and ear-tip every colony cat before feeding it, keep vaccination and care records, and work to place kittens and friendly cats in adoptive homes. Colonies of five or more cats need consent from 80 percent of neighbors within 200 feet, and cap out at ten cats in residential, commercial, or industrial zones (15 on agricultural land) absent a Director-approved one-year extension. Colonies within a quarter mile of city nature parks like George Owens or Burr Oak are prohibited outright, and abandoning a colony is a separate violation.
Violations & Fines
Feeding an unsterilized community cat, exceeding the colony cap, or abandoning a colony can draw a warning, a Director-ordered relocation within 60 days, or impoundment of the cats.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I legally feed a stray cat colony in Independence?
How many community cats can one colony have?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Independence
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Cat Rules in Nearby Cities
How other cities in Jackson County handle cat rules.