Richmond requires rabies vaccination for all cats four months and older and offers voluntary licensing through Richmond Animal Care and Control, with no formal leash law for cats roaming outdoors.
Under Chapter 4 of the Richmond City Code and Virginia Code §3.2-6521, cats four months of age and older must be currently vaccinated against rabies by a licensed veterinarian. Richmond does not impose a leash requirement on cats, but at-large cats causing nuisance, damaging property, or repeatedly trespassing may be impounded by RACC. The city encourages spay-neuter and microchipping and operates trap-neuter-return (TNR) coordination for community cat colonies. Owners surrendering cats must do so directly through RACC rather than abandoning them, which is a separate criminal offense.
Failure to vaccinate is a Class 4 misdemeanor with fines up to $250. Abandonment constitutes Class 3 misdemeanor cruelty. Repeat nuisance complaints may trigger impoundment and reclaim fees.
Richmond, VA
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Richmond, VA
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See how Richmond's cat rules rules stack up against other locations.
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