Knoxville, TN Animal Ordinances: Cat Rules (2026)

City code § 5-76 requires every dog and cat owner to vaccinate against rabies and license the animal with the animal shelter or a county veterinarian; unaltered animals pay a $15 fee, sterilized animals $5. Section 5-7 bars any animal from running at large on public streets, sidewalks, parks, or another's property, except a 'community cat': defined in § 5-1 as a free-roaming cat that has been ear-tipped, sterilized and rabies-vaccinated. Section 5-2 exempts community cats from licensing entirely. Section 5-78 separately bars any female dog or cat from running at large while in estrus.