Lafayette Parish, LA Animal Ordinances: Cat Rules (2026)
Key Facts
- At-large cats
- Exempt from leash law
- Governing sections
- Sec. 10-121(c) & 10-141
- Registration required
- Owned cats over 3 months old
- Community/feral cats
- Exempt via TNR program
- Coverage
- City of Lafayette + unincorporated parish only
Summary
Cats may roam free throughout the City of Lafayette and unincorporated parish, Sec. 10-121 exempts them from the leash/at-large law that binds dogs, but owners must still register and rabies-vaccinate a cat under Sec. 10-141 unless it's a managed community cat.
(a)Prohibited. No dog shall be allowed to run at large, whether he is tagged or untagged or whether he is on private or public property, except where such private property is the private property of such owner or person in charge and such property precludes the escape or possible escape of such animal, and except as provided in subsection (b) of this section. ... (c)All cats may be at large.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 65).
Full Breakdown
Lafayette City-Parish Consolidated Government's animal code (Sec. 10-72) applies inside the City of Lafayette and the unincorporated parish, not in Broussard, Carencro, Duson, Scott, Youngsville or Milton. Section 10-121(c) exempts all cats from the running-at-large law that restrains dogs, so an owned cat found outdoors isn't itself a violation. Owners must still register a cat over three months old and keep current rabies vaccination and a tag (Sec. 10-141), unless it qualifies as a community cat under the trap-neuter-return diversion program (Sec. 10-120), which exempts sterilized, ear-tipped colony cats from licensing, stray holds and at-large rules entirely.
Violations & Fines
No citation for a roaming cat itself. Failing to register, vaccinate or tag a non-community cat under Sec. 10-141 can bring impoundment (Sec. 10-101) and redemption fees up to $150.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can my cat legally roam outside in Lafayette Parish?
Do community cats need a license?
Does this code cover Broussard or Youngsville?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Lafayette Parish
Compare Lafayette Parish to another location·View the Louisiana animal ordinances overview
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