Shasta County, CA Animal Ordinances: Cat Rules (2026)

Cats are treated lightly in the Shasta County animal code. There is no cat-licensing requirement (only dogs must be licensed, per 6.04.060), and no numerical limit on cats. Importantly, domestic cats are expressly exempted from the core roaming controls: Section 6.04.050(A), which bars allowing an animal to stray from the premises, 'does not apply to ... domestic cats,' and 6.04.050(B), barring entry onto another's land, likewise does not apply to domestic cats. So free-roaming cats are not in themselves a County Code violation. The one firm requirement is rabies control: Section 6.04.070(A) makes it unlawful to own or possess a dog or cat over four months old unless it has a current rabies vaccination, and 6.04.070(B) bars bringing such a cat into the county without current vaccination, with an exemption (6.04.070(C)) when a veterinarian verifies in writing that vaccination would endanger the animal's health. General duties also apply to cats: premises must be kept clean and sanitary (6.04.050(I)), seriously injured or diseased animals must receive adequate treatment (6.04.050(H)), and it is unlawful to allow any animal to attack or injure a person or animal (6.04.050(E)). The County contracts cat-related services (such as trap rentals and spay/neuter vouchers) through Haven Humane Society. State humane-care law (Penal Code 597) also covers cats.