Milwaukee requires cats over five months old to be licensed, rabies-vaccinated, and kept under control. Free-roaming cats can be impounded by MADACC. Wisconsin requires rabies vaccination for cats statewide.
Under Milwaukee Code Ch. 78, owners must license cats annually with the City Treasurer once the animal is five months old, providing a current rabies certificate. Cats found at large may be picked up by MADACC and held for redemption; unredeemed cats are subject to adoption or euthanasia. Wisconsin Statute 174.054 mandates rabies vaccination for all cats five months and older, mirrored locally. Milwaukee allows community cat caretakers under a TNR program tied to MADACC. Indoor-outdoor cats are not banned, but owners are responsible for nuisance behavior, including damage and odors complained of to DNS.
Unlicensed cat: $30-$100 forfeiture. No rabies vaccination: $50-$200 plus court costs. Repeat at-large impoundment fees start at $50 daily boarding.
Milwaukee, WI
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Milwaukee, WI
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See how Milwaukee's cat rules rules stack up against other locations.
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