Indianapolis, IN Animal Ordinances: Cat Rules (2026)

Sec. 531-209 of the Revised Code lets the consolidated city and county stabilize its free-roaming cat population through trap-neuter-return (TNR). A person may trap a free-roaming cat using a humane, live-release trap that follows the equipment standards in Sec. 531-407, then have the cat evaluated, surgically sterilized, ear-tipped and vaccinated against rabies by a licensed veterinarian. After sterilization the cat is released back to the vicinity where it was trapped, or turned over to a community cat caretaker. If Indianapolis Animal Care Services (IACS) later impounds an ear-tipped community cat, Sec. 531-209(c) requires the agency to return it to that same vicinity unless doing so would endanger the cat or threaten public health or welfare.

A "community cat" is defined elsewhere in the chapter as an unowned cat captured, sterilized, ear-tipped and vaccinated under this program and then released rather than kept as a pet. Once a cat carries that ear-tip, Sec. 531-301(a) excuses its caretaker from renewing the rabies vaccination annually, unlike owned cats, dogs and ferrets, which must stay current. A caretaker who takes on feeding or sheltering duties must follow the IACS care guidelines cross-referenced in Sec. 531-210 and get any seriously ill or injured community cat to the IACS shelter or a licensed veterinarian. Feeding, watering or sheltering a free-roaming cat for more than sixty days without operating under Secs. 531-209 and 531-210 is a separate violation under Sec. 531-205, and IACS may impound cats kept that way and dispose of them under Sec. 531-731.