Martin County, FL Animal Ordinances: Cat Rules (2026)

Section 9.61 makes it unlawful to own, keep or harbor a dog, cat or ferret of four months or older unless the animal is currently vaccinated, licensed, and collared or harnessed. The rabies vaccine must be USDA-licensed for the species. The owner has the cat revaccinated 12 months after the first shot, and after that the interval follows the vaccine manufacturer's direction. A blood titer showing rabies antibodies cannot substitute for a current vaccination. The certificate must conform to Florida Statutes and the NASPHV form and carry the veterinarian's signature or signature stamp. The veterinarian keeps one copy for at least one year after the vaccine expires and sends the other copies to the owner and to the Animal Services Unit. A cat is excused from the shot only when a licensed veterinarian certifies in writing that vaccination would endanger it because of age, infirmity, disability, illness or other medical considerations, and the cat must be vaccinated as soon as its health permits.

Section 9.62 sets the license deadline at the latest of three dates: the cat reaches six months, 30 calendar days after you acquire a cat that is at least six months old, or 30 calendar days after you arrive in Martin County as a new resident with such a cat. The tag must hang from a collar or similar device where it is clearly visible at all times. A cat kept in a secure enclosure can skip wearing the tag inside it if the tag is fastened to a collar or harness attached to the enclosure. Tags are sold by participating veterinarians, the county's designated impoundment facility and any Martin County Tax Collector branch office. Fees depend on whether the cat is microchipped and whether it is sterilized, and the board sets them by resolution. A registration lasts one year from the issuance date or the rabies vaccination date, whichever is earlier, and a late renewal carries a late fee. Anyone with five or more dogs and cats combined licenses them all at the same time, tags cannot be transferred between animals or owners, and a new owner has 30 calendar days to comply. Nonresidents and temporary residents with a valid out-of-county rabies vaccination are exempt from licensing, as are research, veterinary, shelter, nonprofit and pet shop operations.

Section 9.90.D covers community cats: unowned, free-roaming cats that have been treated for fleas and ticks, sterilized, vaccinated against rabies and feline distemper, ear-tipped and microchipped. A caregiver must feed at least once a day, keep water clean, and keep colonies on private property or on land where the owner has given written permission. Colonies cannot be placed on government land without approval, and a colony property must sit 250 feet from schools, public parks and playgrounds and 750 feet from conservation or environmentally sensitive land unless the neighboring owner signs a written waiver.