Rutherford County, TN Animal Ordinances: Cat Rules (2026)
Key Facts
- Cat license
- $5 annually, over 3 months
- Rabies vaccination
- Required for cats
- Community cats
- Exempt from at-large ban
- Estrous roaming
- Prohibited
- Spay/neuter on adoption
- Required or $25 deposit
Summary
Cats fall under the same at-large, licensing, and rabies rules as dogs, but 'community cats' are exempt from the running-at-large prohibition. Every owned cat over three months needs a $5 county license and a rabies vaccination.
Any person who owns, keeps or harbors a dog or cat within the County shall have such dog or cat inoculated or immunized against rabies.
Full Breakdown
The PAWS Rules apply the running-at-large ban to cats as well as dogs, with an explicit exception for 'community cats': unidentified feral or free-roaming cats. Owned cats must be inoculated against rabies and licensed annually for $5 once over three months old. Article IX(d) also bars letting a female cat roam during its estrous period. Adopted or redeemed cats must be spayed or neutered, or the owner posts a $25 deposit under T.C.A. §44-17-502. There is no cat-specific curfew or numeric limit in the county code.
Violations & Fines
At-large, licensing, and estrous violations carry a $50-per-violation fine, each day a separate offense. Unlicensed or at-large cats may be impounded and, if unclaimed, adopted or euthanized.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do indoor cats need a license?
Are feral cats regulated?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Rutherford County
Compare Rutherford County to another location·View the Tennessee animal ordinances overview
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