San Bernardino County requires cats over four months old to be vaccinated against rabies and licensed through Animal Care. Outdoor cats are allowed but must wear identification, and trap-neuter-return colonies operate under registered caretaker programs.
Title 3 of the County Code applies licensing and rabies rules to cats in unincorporated areas and contract cities. Owners renew licenses annually with proof of current rabies vaccination from a California-licensed veterinarian. Free-roaming cats picked up by officers are scanned for microchips before holding. Community cat colonies practicing TNR can register with Animal Care to avoid impound. Cat owners are encouraged to keep cats indoors due to coyote and raptor predation risks across desert and mountain communities.
Citations for unlicensed or unvaccinated cats, plus impound fees and reclaim charges. Repeat unlicensed offenders may be fined progressively higher amounts under county schedules.
See how San Bernardino's cat rules rules stack up against other locations.
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