Maricopa County follows Arizona ARS §11-1008 and County Animal Care rules: every cat older than three months must carry a current rabies vaccination. No countywide leash law applies, but owners remain liable for nuisance, wildlife harm, and property damage caused by free-roaming cats.
Across unincorporated Maricopa County and most member cities, cats over three months must be vaccinated against rabies by a licensed veterinarian under ARS §11-1008 and Maricopa County Animal Care and Control rules. Unlike dogs, cats do not require county licensing or a leash, but allowing a cat to repeatedly enter a neighbor's yard, defecate there, or harass protected birds can support nuisance enforcement. MCACC supports community-cat programs through trap-neuter-return, ear-tipping, and registered colony caretakers. Owners should keep proof of rabies vaccination handy, since unvaccinated cats involved in bites face quarantine or euthanasia under state public-health rules.
Unvaccinated cats found at large can be impounded by MCACC, with reclaim fees and a mandatory rabies vaccination before release. Bite incidents trigger ten-day quarantine. Repeat nuisance complaints may produce civil citations and small-claims liability for property damage.
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Side-by-side rule comparisons with other cities in Maricopa County.
See how other cities in Maricopa County handle cat rules.
See how Surprise's cat rules rules stack up against other locations.
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