Philadelphia has no cat leash law, but Phila. Code §10-104 requires owners to control cats causing nuisance. Pennsylvania Title 28 Chapter 27 mandates rabies vaccination for every cat over three months. ACCT Philly runs trap-neuter-return for community cats.
Philadelphia Code §10-104 treats cats running at large and creating sanitary nuisance as a violation, though there is no formal leash requirement. Pennsylvania law 3 P.S. §455.1 and 28 Pa. Code Chapter 27 require rabies vaccination for every dog and cat older than three months, with proof shown on demand. ACCT Philly partners with rescue groups to operate citywide trap-neuter-return: feral cats are spayed or neutered, vaccinated, ear-tipped, and returned to colonies. Indoor-only is encouraged citywide because of high vehicle traffic and rat-poison exposure. Owners remain responsible for damage to neighboring property and wildlife.
Citations under §10-104 for unrabid or roaming cats causing nuisance carry fines beginning around $75 per occurrence. Failing to maintain rabies vaccination violates state law and can trigger quarantine, mandatory vaccination at owner expense, and additional fines.
Philadelphia, PA
Philadelphia does not impose a citywide spay-neuter mandate on owned pets. ACCT Philly sterilizes every dog and cat before adoption, and Phila. Code §10-104 ...
Philadelphia, PA
Philadelphia does not require microchips on all pets, but ACCT Philly and partner rescues microchip every dog and cat before adoption. Pennsylvania has no st...
See how Philadelphia's cat rules rules stack up against other locations.
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.