Madison, AL Animal Ordinances: Cat Rules (2026)
Key Facts
- Cat license
- Required over 3 months
- Rabies proof
- Required to license
- Destructive cat at large
- Unlawful
- Cat in heat
- Must be confined
- Code sections
- § 6-11, § 6-38
Summary
Madison licenses cats over three months of age like dogs, and it is unlawful to let a cat known to habitually damage a neighbor's property run at large. Cats in heat must be confined.
It shall be unlawful for the owner of any cat known to such person to habitually cause destruction or damage to the property of another to allow such cat to be at large. Every female dog or cat in heat shall be confined in a building or other enclosure.
Full Breakdown
Madison City Code § 6-11(c) makes it unlawful for the owner of a cat known to habitually cause destruction or damage to another's property to allow that cat to be at large, and § 6-11(d) requires any cat in heat to be confined so it cannot contact another animal except for planned breeding. Under § 6-38, every cat over three months of age must be registered (sex, breed, description, owner details) and licensed after proof of a valid one- or three-year rabies vaccination. The code also recognizes "feral cats" separately in § 6-1. There is no general citywide cat-leash mandate, but nuisance and licensing rules still apply.
Violations & Fines
Letting a destructive cat at large or failing to license it draws minimum fines of $25/$50/$100 under § 6-2; unlicensed or nuisance cats may be impounded.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do cats have to be licensed in Madison, AL?
Are outdoor cats allowed in Madison?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Madison
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Cat Rules in Nearby Cities
How other cities in Madison County handle cat rules.