Modesto, CA Animal Ordinances: Cat Rules (2026)

Stanislaus County treats cats more leniently than dogs. The leash provision in Section 7.16.010 expressly excludes the domestic cat, so cats are not required to be leashed or confined off the owner's property under that section. Cat licensing is voluntary: under Chapter 7.54 (Breeding and Transferring of Dogs and Cats, and Licensing of Cats), a cat owner may voluntarily obtain a license for their cat, and owners who do so can become eligible for spay/neuter vouchers through Stanislaus Animal Services (Section 7.54.060). Although optional, a licensed cat carrying a tag has a far better chance of being reunited with its owner if it goes missing. Breeding is regulated for cats as well as dogs: Section 7.54.030 provides that no person shall cause or allow any dog or cat owned, harbored, or kept within the county to breed without first obtaining a litter permit. Cats still count as 'animals' for general nuisance purposes under Chapter 7.16, so an owner can be responsible if a cat creates a documented nuisance, and California Civil Code provides remedies for property damage. Owners of unaltered cats should consider spay/neuter both for the voucher benefit and to avoid needing a litter permit.