Kokomo, IN Animal Ordinances: Cat Rules (2026)
Key Facts
- Cat definition
- § 90.01, all domestic members of feline family
- Rabies vaccination
- Required at 3 months of age, § 90.01
- At-large impoundment
- § 90.05(A)
- Redemption window
- 5 days, § 90.07(A)
- First-offense nuisance fine
- $250 under § 90.99
Summary
Kokomo treats cats much like dogs under Chapter 90: a cat found at large or acting as a public nuisance may be apprehended and impounded under § 90.05(A), and every cat three months or older must be vaccinated against rabies. An impounded cat can be redeemed within five days by showing a current rabies tag and paying the department's fee plus boarding costs.
“CAT.” All domestic members of the feline family of animals. ... “RABIES VACCINATION.” All dogs, cats and ferrets three months of age and older must be vaccinated against rabies. ... § 90.05 APPREHENSION AND IMPOUNDING OF ANIMALS. It is the duty of persons and agencies so authorized by the city to apprehend and impound: (A) Any dog or cat at large, or any dog or cat deemed a public nuisance. ... (A) Any healthy dog or cat apprehended or impounded may be redeemed by the owner or other persons as authorized in § 90.06 within five days of such apprehension, upon showing that the dog or cat has current rabies vaccination tag or certificate, and the payment of the following fees:
Full Breakdown
Section 90.01 defines "CAT" as all domestic members of the feline family and requires that all cats, dogs, and ferrets three months of age and older be vaccinated against rabies. Section 90.05(A) directs authorized city agents to apprehend and impound any dog or cat at large or deemed a public nuisance, using the same "AT LARGE" definition applied to dogs: off the owner's premises and either unleashed or not under a person's immediate control. Once impounded, § 90.06 requires the Department of Animal Services to notify an owner within three days if the cat wore identification, and § 90.07(A) lets the owner redeem the animal within five days by showing a current rabies vaccination tag or certificate and paying the department's annually set fee plus a reasonable per-day boarding charge; after five days the cat may be destroyed or turned over to the department.
A cat that appears diseased may be destroyed sooner under § 90.07(B), and a person bitten by a cat must report the incident to the Howard County Health Department and the Department of Animal Services under § 90.07(C).
Violations & Fines
Letting a cat run at large or become a public nuisance exposes the owner to § 90.99's civil fine schedule the same as a dog: $250 for a first offense, $400 for a second, and $500 for a third public-nuisance violation, or $250 rising to $500 for an at-large violation tier. Failing to redeem an impounded cat within five days results in loss of ownership and the cat may be destroyed or transferred to the Department of Animal Services under § 90.07(A)(3).
Frequently Asked Questions
Can Animal Services pick up a stray cat in Kokomo?
How do I get my cat back from the pound in Kokomo?
Does Kokomo require cats to be vaccinated against rabies?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Kokomo
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