Springfield, MA Animal Ordinances: Wildlife Feeding (2026)
Key Facts
- Rule
- No feeding causing nuisance or health risk
- Covers
- Wild animals and unsterilized feral/stray cats
- Enforcement
- Animal Control Officer, City of Springfield
- Penalty
- $50 to $300 escalating fine
- Citation
- Springfield City Code § 110-12(B)
Summary
Springfield prohibits feeding wild animals or unsterilized feral, stray, or community cats whenever the feeding creates a public health or safety risk or a nuisance, under City Code § 110-12(B) in Hampden County, Massachusetts.
No person shall provide food or sustenance to wild animals, including unsterilized feral, stray, or community cats, in such a manner that would cause a public health or safety risk, or cause a nuisance as defined in this chapter.
C. An Animal Control Officer may remove any animals kept in violation of this section and either release such animal into its natural habitat or place it in a suitable facility.
D. No person shall keep any livestock animals on his/her property except as otherwise allowed by Springfield Zoning Ordinance or state law. An Animal Control Officer may seize and impound any animals kept in violation of this section or the Springfield Zoning Ordinance, as defined by this chapter and place it in a suitable facility.
E. Violations. Any person who keeps, feeds, or shelters an animal in violation of this section shall be subject to a fine of not more than:
(1) For the first violation: $50;
(2) For the second violation: $100; and
(3) For the third or subsequent violations: $300.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: rev 4680006; v21 updated 2025-12-15; through 12-15-2025).
Full Breakdown
Section 110-12(B) of Springfield's general code bars anyone from providing food or sustenance to wild animals, including unsterilized feral, stray, or community cats, in a manner that causes a public health or safety risk, or a nuisance as the chapter defines it. The rule is conditional, not a flat feeding ban: routine backyard bird feeding isn't swept in unless it triggers a health, safety, or nuisance problem. An Animal Control Officer can act against animals kept or attracted in violation of the section. Violations carry the same escalating fine schedule as the rest of § 110-12: $50, $100, then $300 for repeat offenses.
Violations & Fines
Feeding that creates a nuisance or health/safety risk draws Animal Control enforcement and fines of $50 for a first violation, $100 for a second, $300 for a third or subsequent violation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it illegal to feed pigeons or geese in Springfield, MA?
Can I feed a feral cat colony in my neighborhood?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Springfield
Compare Springfield to another location·View the Massachusetts animal ordinances overview
See something wrong?
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.