Hamilton County, IN Animal Ordinances: Wildlife Feeding (2026)

, the feeding is done in conjunction with trap-neuter-return methodology, and the caregiver uses left ear-tipping to identify sterilized, vaccinated members of the managed colony. Registration requires homeowner or neighborhood association approval where applicable, and caretakers must humanely trap, sterilize, and ear-tip every cat they can catch, vaccinate against rabies (preferably with a three-year vaccine) and any other legally mandated disease, have a licensed veterinarian evaluate trapped cats' health, remove kittens from the colony by eight weeks old for domestication and placement, and remove sick or injured cats for veterinary care or humane euthanasia.

Ongoing caretaker duties include feeding the colony year-round, including holidays and vacations, and keeping sterilization, vaccination, and medical records available to the Humane Society, Low Cost Spay Neuter Clinic, or law enforcement on request. Law enforcement may impound feral cats found in violation of the section, though an ear-tipped cat identified as belonging to a managed colony may be returned to it at law enforcement's discretion unless illness or injury poses an imminent danger.