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Louisville, KY Animal Ordinances: Cat Rules (2026)

Significant Restrictions
Compiled from the official code textEditor Martyn O'NeillLast verified September 2026

Key Facts

Licensing agency
Metro Animal Services (MAS)
License basis
Current rabies vaccination required
Lifetime license
Requires spay/neuter, proof of ID
Feral cat exemption
TNR caretakers exempt from licensing
Civil penalty
$150-$1,000 per citation

Summary

Louisville Metro requires every cat to be licensed through Metro Animal Services with proof of rabies vaccination, while community cats under a caretaker's care are exempt from both licensing and leash restraint.

Every owner of an animal who resides or whose animal resides in Jefferson County and who is regulated by this chapter shall apply to MAS for any appropriate license required by this chapter. ... License tags and rabies vaccination tags shall be required for each dog or cat four months of age or older. License and vaccination tags shall be firmly attached to a harness or collar worn by the animal.

Source: Louisville Metro Animal ServicesView official code

Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: 2026 S-47: Supplement contains: Local legislation current through Ordinances passed by the Council and approved by the Mayor as of July 1, 2026).

Full Breakdown

Every cat owner in Jefferson County must obtain a license from Metro Animal Services (MAS) tied to a current rabies vaccination; unaltered cats need an annual license while spayed/neutered cats can get a lifetime license, and tags must be attached to a collar or harness by four months of age. Metro Code § 91.002 requires cats be kept under restraint at all times when off the owner's property. Community (feral) cats are the exception: under the Trap-Neuter-Return program in § 91.030, a caretaker who provides food, water, and medical care is exempt from licensing and restraint requirements for cats in that colony.

Violations & Fines

Owning an unlicensed or unrestrained cat is a civil offense under § 91.999, punishable by $150 to $1,000 per citation, with penalties multiplying for repeat offenses; MAS may also impound the animal.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to license my cat in Louisville?
Yes. Any cat you own in Jefferson County must be licensed through Metro Animal Services with a current rabies vaccination; tags must be worn on a collar or harness by four months of age.
Are feral or community cats exempt?
Yes. Under the Trap-Neuter-Return program (§ 91.030), a caretaker who feeds and provides care for a community cat colony is exempt from the licensing and restraint rules that apply to owned cats.

Sources & Official References

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