Cats four months or older must be vaccinated against rabies. Santa Rosa County recognizes managed 'community cats': sterilized, ear-tipped, rabies-vaccinated free-roaming cats are exempt from licensing, stray, abandonment, and at-large rules.
Owned cats are 'animals' under the county ordinance and must be vaccinated against rabies by a licensed veterinarian at four months of age or older. The county also formally recognizes Trap/Neuter/Return: a 'community cat' is any free-roaming cat that may be cared for by area residents. Community cats that are ear-tipped are sterilized and have received at least one rabies vaccination, and the ordinance exempts them from licensing, stray, abandonment, and at-large provisions aimed at owned animals. A community cat caregiver provides food and care without being the owner and may redeem community cats from the shelter without proof of ownership. Caregivers must minimize impact on wildlife and manage feeding responsibly.
Failing to vaccinate an owned cat is a violation; an unvaccinated cat may be impounded. Community cats meeting the ordinance criteria are exempt from stray/at-large enforcement.
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Santa Rosa County, FL
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