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St. Louis, MO Animal Ordinances: Cat Rules (2026)

Some Restrictions
Compiled from the official code textEditor Martyn O'NeillLast verified September 2026

Key Facts

Vaccination-registration fee
$50 (or $4 if fixed)
At-large fine, 1st offense
$100
At-large fine, 3rd offense
$500
Feral colonies
Must register with approved sponsor
Ear-tipped feral cats
Exempt from registration

Summary

St. Louis requires every owned cat to be rabies-vaccinated and registered with a $50 tag, bars cats from running at large, and separately licenses feral cat colonies through Health Department-approved caregiver sponsors under a formal TNR program.

Every person who owns any dog, cat, kitten or puppy, whether in a kennel or not, that is kept any time during the year within the City...shall have such dog, cat, kitten or puppy vaccinated against rabies and registered as provided in Section 10.04.070...Ear-tipped feral cats are exempt from the requirements of this section.

Source: City of St. Louis Revised CodeView official code

Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 11).

Full Breakdown

City Code Chapter 10.04 requires every owned cat, kitten or puppy to be vaccinated against rabies and registered through the Health Department for a $50 certificate-and-tag fee (reduced by $46 if the animal is spayed or neutered), with the tag worn at all times; ear-tipped feral cats are exempt. Section 10.04.225 separately bars any domestic cat from being found at large on City streets, public places, or another person's property. Chapter 10.30 (Trap-Neuter-Return) instead lets feral cat colonies operate legally if registered with a Department of Health-approved sponsor, who must vet caregivers, track colony locations and spay/neuter records, and report annually to the Department.

Violations & Fines

Administrative citations under the Schedule of Fines (§ 11.95.130) set an unleashed or loose cat fine at $100 for a first offense, $300 for a second, and $500 for a third and subsequent offense, tied to § 10.04.225.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I have to license my cat in St. Louis?
Yes. Every owned cat must be rabies-vaccinated and registered with the Health Department, with a tag worn at all times, unless it's an ear-tipped feral cat.
Can I care for a feral cat colony in St. Louis?
Yes, if the colony is registered with a City Health Department-approved sponsor under the Chapter 10.30 Trap-Neuter-Return program.

Sources & Official References

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All St. Louis rules

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