Vestavia Hills, AL Animal Ordinances: Cat Rules (2026)
Key Facts
- Governing section
- City Code § 4-55
- Minimum hold period
- 7 days before adoption or release
- Redemption cost
- Owner pays boarding and medical fees
- Release requires
- Sterilization + rabies vaccination + ear tag
- Authority
- Code enforcement official / animal control officer
Summary
Vestavia Hills lets the city humanely trap and impound feral, stray or abandoned cats and hold them at least seven days for the owner to redeem. Unclaimed cats may be offered for adoption or, if healthy and sterilized, released back where they were trapped.
The city or its representatives, including the code enforcement official, animal control officer, or person serving in like capacity, or such persons or firms as may be designated or employed by the city or with whom the city may contract for such purposes, shall have the authority to trap or collect by humane means and impound any cat or member of the feline family that appears to be stray, abandoned, feral, or non-socialized, or uncared for based ... on the behavior or physical condition of the cat, and the absence of any collar, tag, microchip, or other means of identifying the name, address, or telephone number of the owner of the cat.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 6).
Full Breakdown
Section 4-55(b) authorizes the city, its code enforcement official, animal control officer or contracted representatives to trap or collect by humane means and impound any cat that appears stray, abandoned, feral, non-socialized or uncared for based on its behavior or condition and the absence of a collar, tag or microchip identifying an owner. Section 4-55(c) requires the cat be held a minimum of seven days under Code of Ala. 1975 § 3-7A-8 so notice can reach a known owner or the owner can redeem it; a redeeming owner must pay all impoundment costs, including boarding and required medical treatment.
If not redeemed within the seven-day window, Section 4-55(d) lets the city offer the cat for adoption if it is deemed adoptable. Alternatively, Section 4-55(e) permits release back into the area where the cat was trapped, but only if all five conditions are met: the cat is determined feral or undomesticated but unsuitable for adoption, determined healthy and sociable enough to pose no danger, sterilized under Code of Ala. 1975 § 3-9-2, vaccinated for rabies, and marked with an ear tag or clipped ear to show it has been sterilized.
Section 4-55(a) frames the whole program's purpose as addressing cats that represent an actual or potential threat to public health, safety and welfare, while disclaiming any city duty of care or liability toward the public for how impounded cats are handled.
Violations & Fines
Section 4-56 states that any person violating the provisions of this article, which includes unlawfully keeping or harboring a feral cat under Section 4-53(a) tied to the impoundment scheme, shall upon conviction be punished pursuant to Alabama law rather than a fixed municipal fine schedule.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long is a trapped stray cat held before adoption in Vestavia Hills?
Can the city just release a trapped feral cat back outside?
What does it cost to get my cat back after impoundment?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Vestavia Hills
Compare Vestavia Hills to another location·View the Alabama animal ordinances overview
See something wrong?
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.
Cat Rules in Nearby Cities
How other cities in Jefferson County handle cat rules.