In McHenry County cats are covered by the same animal-control ordinance as dogs: they must be restrained so they do not run at large, and every cat four months or older must be vaccinated against rabies by a licensed veterinarian and registered with the county.
Article VI of the Public Health Ordinance treats cats like dogs and other animals. Owners must keep cats restrained or controlled so they do not run at large; a cat found at large can be declared a public nuisance and impounded. Section 8.04.890 requires every cat (and dog) four months or older to be vaccinated against rabies with a USDA- and Illinois-Department-of-Agriculture-approved vaccine administered by a licensed veterinarian, and § 8.04.840 requires annual registration. It is also unlawful for a cat, even leashed, to be on school grounds, playgrounds, public beaches or pools without permission. Cities may add their own cat rules.
Failure to vaccinate or register a cat, or letting it run at large, violates Article VI; penalties and impound/boarding fees apply under § 8.04.940.
Other ordinances people look up for this city. Green dot = verified primary-source excerpt.
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See how McHenry County's cat rules rules stack up against other locations.
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