Mount Prospect, IL Animal Ordinances: Cat Rules (2026)
Key Facts
- Governing section
- Mount Prospect Village Code § 20.205
- Vaccination age
- Cats four (4) months or more of age
- Tag required off property
- Cook County department of animal and rabies control tag, or another county's
- Household limit (§ 20.207 A5)
- Three (3) dogs, cats or combination over twelve (12) weeks old
- Fine schedule (§ 20.603)
- First offense not less than $100.00; second $200.00; third $500.00
- Impoundment notice
- Within two (2) working days
Summary
Section 20.205 of the Mount Prospect Village Code requires every owner of a cat four (4) months or more of age to have it inoculated against rabies by a licensed veterinarian. A cat off its owner's property must wear a collar with owner identification and the Cook County rabies tag, or it is impounded.
A. Every owner of a dog or cat four (4) months or more of age shall cause such dog or cat to be inoculated with rabies vaccine by a licensed veterinarian at such intervals as approved by the Illinois department of agriculture. This shall not apply to animal shelters, animal impounding facilities and laboratory animal facilities. B. Every dog or cat, when off the property of the owner, shall wear a collar, attached to which shall be the identification of the dog's or cat's owner, along with the tag, issued by the Cook County department of animal and rabies control, or similar agency of another county, evidencing the dog's or cat's rabies inoculation. C. Every dog or cat found in the village without such collar and identification will be deemed to be in violation of this chapter and shall be impounded as provided in this chapter.
Full Breakdown
Chapter 20 of the Village Code defines a cat as any live member of the classification Felis catus, and Section 20.205, titled Dogs And Cats Rabies Inoculation, treats cats and dogs alike. Subsection A applies to every owner of a dog or cat four (4) months or more of age. The owner must cause the animal to be inoculated with rabies vaccine by a licensed veterinarian at such intervals as approved by the Illinois department of agriculture. The requirement does not apply to animal shelters, animal impounding facilities and laboratory animal facilities.
Subsection B covers identification. Every dog or cat, when off the property of the owner, must wear a collar. Attached to the collar must be the identification of the owner, along with the tag issued by the Cook County department of animal and rabies control, or a similar agency of another county, evidencing the rabies inoculation.
Subsection C sets the consequence. Every dog or cat found in the village without the collar and identification is deemed to be in violation of the chapter and is impounded as provided in the chapter. Article III governs impoundment: the owner is notified by personal service or by posting on the front of the residence within two (2) working days, and the notice explains that a written request for a hearing can be made to contest the impoundment.
Other Chapter 20 sections reach cats too. Section 20.202 bans permitting any animal to stray or run at large upon or in any public place. Section 20.207 A5 bars keeping, harboring or possessing more than three (3) dogs, cats or combination of dogs and cats more than twelve (12) weeks of age in any dwelling unit, and the term dwelling unit includes all real property attached to the mailing address. Section 20.204 B makes it unlawful to abandon any domesticated animal. Section 20.206 requires the owner of an animal that bites or scratches a person to notify the police department immediately and to hold the animal on the owner's premises; the animal control official can impound it for ten (10) days.
Violations & Fines
Section 20.603 fines a person found guilty of violating Chapter 20 under the Appendix A, Division III schedule: first offense not less than $100.00; second offense not less than $200.00; third offense not less than $500.00; subsequent offense not less than $1,000.00. A continuing violation is a separate offense for each day. Under Section 20.205 C, a dog or cat found in the village without a collar and identification is impounded.
Frequently Asked Questions
At what age must a cat be vaccinated for rabies in Mount Prospect?
Does an indoor cat need a collar and tag?
How many cats can one household keep?
What happens to a cat found without a collar and identification?
Sources & Official References
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