Louisville, KY Animal Ordinances: Wildlife Feeding (2026)

Feeding songbirds, hummingbirds, and squirrels in backyards is generally permitted in Louisville, but feeders should be maintained to prevent attracting rats, raccoons, and other pests that can trigger nuisance complaints under LMCO Chapter 91 and property maintenance Chapter 156. Feeding deer is regulated by Kentucky statewide rules that have tightened due to chronic wasting disease (CWD) concerns, and deer feeding bans may apply in CWD surveillance zones. Intentional feeding of coyotes, foxes, or other wildlife that creates a public safety hazard can result in enforcement. Feeding feral cats is a gray area — Louisville Metro Animal Services supports managed trap-neuter-return (TNR) colonies with registered caretakers, but random unmanaged feeding in public spaces can draw complaints. Waterfowl feeding at public parks (Cherokee Park, Waterfront Park) is generally discouraged and in some locations signed as prohibited because of water quality and bird health concerns. Residents experiencing nuisance wildlife should contact Metro Animal Services or a licensed nuisance wildlife control operator rather than attempting to relocate animals themselves.