Lake County, IN Animal Ordinances: Cat Rules (2026)
Key Facts
- Code
- Lake County Code Sec. 90.02(B)(19)
- Rabies (county)
- Annual, over 6 months old
- Rabies (state)
- 345 IAC 1-5-2, over 3 months
- Collar/harness
- Required off-property
- Registration fee
- $6 altered / $20 unaltered
Summary
Unincorporated Lake County requires dogs and cats over six months old to be vaccinated annually for rabies by a licensed veterinarian, and to wear a collar or harness when off the owner's property. Cats, like all animals, may not be at large. Cats must be registered, and the rabies mandate
Dogs and cats over the age of six months must be vaccinated annually by a licensed veterinarian for rabies. Dogs and cats must wear a collar or harness when outside the owner's property.
(20) Vicious animals. A person shall not own, keep, or harbor a vicious animal; provided, this section shall not apply to an animal under the control of a law enforcement or military agency. For the purpose of this section, an animal may be declared vicious by the Director if any one of the following five facts or criteria, below, are met. This division shall not be construed to prohibit the use of guard dogs or security dogs for civilian purposes, even though the dogs may display an aggressive character in keeping with their protective duties. However, those dogs shall be subject to the viciousness standards of division (B)(20)(b) below.
(a) Two or more credible complaints are received from two or more people, not within the same household, regarding the animal's viciousness and this viciousness is verified by an animal control officer.
(b) The animal, while running at large or while being restrained by the owner or keeper with a leash or other securing device, has bitten a person and the bite and attack was unprovoked.
(c) The animal exhibits vicious propensities in present or past conduct including but not limited to conduct such that the animal:
1. Has bitten a person(s) on three or more separate occasions
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: 2026 S-14: Supplement contains: Local legislation current through 6-9-2026; and State legislation current through Indiana Legislative Service, 2025 Acts, Pamphlet No. 3).
Full Breakdown
Lake County Code Sec. 90.02(B)(19) states that dogs and cats over the age of six months must be vaccinated annually by a licensed veterinarian for rabies, and must wear a collar or harness when outside the owner's property. Under Sec. 90.20 no animal may be at large. Cats must be registered under the Chapter 90 fee schedule ($6 altered / $20 unaltered annually, discounted before March 31). Statewide, 345 IAC 1-5-2 (administering IC 15-17-6) requires all cats three months and older to be vaccinated against rabies; the Indiana rule is stricter on age than the county's six-month threshold, so owners should follow the earlier state deadline.
Violations & Fines
Failing to vaccinate or license, or allowing a cat at large, violates Chapter 90; per Sec. 90.99 fines run $100 to $1,000. Indiana's IC 35-46-3-1 makes harboring a nonimmunized dog over six months a Class C infraction.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do cats need a rabies shot in Lake County?
Do outdoor cats need to wear anything?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Lake County
Compare Lake County to another location·View the Indiana animal ordinances overview
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