Bensalem, PA Animal Ordinances: Wildlife Feeding (2026)

Bensalem Township Code Chapter 80, Article III governs stray and feral cat feeding. Section 80-21(a) makes it unlawful for any person or organization to intentionally provide food, water, shelter or other sustenance to a stray or feral cat unless that person participates in a Township-sponsored humane feral cat program and follows its guidelines; the Township notes it may sponsor such a program but does not guarantee funding it. Feeding a feral cat colony carries extra conditions under Section 80-21(b): the caretaker must register the existing colony with the animal control officer by December 31 each year, and register any newly discovered colony within 30 days of finding it, with registration required annually regardless of prior filings.

Caretakers must also sterilize capturable adult cats, vaccinate them against rabies (preferably with a three-year vaccine), attempt to remove kittens before eight weeks old, remove sick or injured cats for veterinary care, feed the colony year-round including holidays, ear-tip captured cats, keep medical and sterilization records for the animal control officer, and secure written landowner authorization. The animal control officer inspects and approves every proposed or existing colony location and may seize any feral cat or colony at any time under Section 80-21(d). Destroying traps or releasing a captured stray or feral cat is separately prohibited under Section 80-21(e).

A first violation typically draws a written warning with up to 30 days to come into compliance under Section 80-21(f) before formal penalties under Section 80-22 apply.