Connecticut General Statutes Annotated. Title 22. Agriculture. Chapter 435. Dogs and Other
Companion Animals. Kennels and Pet Shops. Section 22-339d. Municipal Control of Feral Cats.

Citation: C.G.S.A. s 22-339d

Citation: CT ST § 22-339d

Summary: This Connecticut statute permits municipalities to adopt ordinances requiring
registration of feral cat "keepers," defined as anyone who harbors or regularly feeds a feral
cat. If a municipality enacts such an ordinance, the ordinance must require the keeper to
sterilize the cat and have it vaccinated against rabies. The statute also enables
municipalities to adopt ordinances holding cat owners and keepers responsible if their cats
cause significant property damage or severe health violations.

Statute in Full:
Section 22-339d. Municipal Control of Feral Cats

(a) A municipality may adopt an ordinance requiring the registration, within one year of the
adoption of such ordinance, of keepers of feral cats in residential or commercial areas. Such
ordinance shall require that any such keeper shall register with the animal control officer for
such municipality who shall provide information to the registrant regarding the proper care and
management of feral cats. For purposes of this section, "feral cat" means a free-roaming
domestic cat which is not owned and "keeper" means any person or organization, harboring,
regularly feeding or having in his or its possession any feral cat. Refusal to permit any
animal control officer to impound a feral cat shall be deemed evidence of keeping. Such
ordinance shall require that such keepers shall provide for the vaccination of such cats against
rabies and the sterilization of such cats. Such keeper shall be considered an eligible owner
for purposes of the animal population control program established under sections 22-380e to
22-380m, inclusive, provided such cats are adopted from a municipal pound.

(b) A municipality may adopt an ordinance providing that no person owning or keeping any cat
shall permit such animal to (1) substantially damage property other than the property of the
owner or keeper or (2) cause an unsanitary, dangerous or unreasonably offensive condition.
Violation of such provision shall be an infraction.