Lauderhill, FL Animal Ordinances: Cat Rules (2026)

Section 4-20 of the Lauderhill Code, 'Running at large prohibited; impoundment; redemption,' bars an owner from permitting a dog or cat to run at large within the corporate limits of the city. Proof of the identity of the cat and its owner is enough to convict the owner of violating the section. A cat running at large is subject to being picked up by a Public Health Officer of Broward County, the Humane Society of Broward County, an animal control officer, or another person designated by the city manager, and the cat is then held by the Humane Society of Broward County for at least five days.

To redeem the cat, the owner must pay the Humane Society all costs of keeping the animal, and the city separately bills the owner for pickup and capture costs, which becomes a lien on the owner if unpaid within thirty days. Section 4-28 layers on a separate requirement that every owner of a dog or cat in the city assure the animal is vaccinated and tagged as required by state law and Broward County ordinances, making a failure to comply a violation punishable under Section 4-26. Penalties under Section 4-26 run fifty dollars for a first offense up to two hundred fifty dollars for a third or later offense.