The text
Sec. 4-88 - Required cat identification.#
It shall be unlawful for any person to be an owner of a cat over three (3) months of age unless the person maintains an identification worn by the cat at all times. The identification provisions in this ordinance are not applicable to the following: (a)
A cat brought into the state exclusively for the purpose of entering them in a cat show or cat exhibition or for breeding purposes and which does not remain in this state for more than fifteen (15) days and which is not allowed to be at large.
(b)
A cat owned by any person who is not a resident of the state and is traveling through the state temporarily and for a period not to exceed thirty (30) days.
(c)
A cat temporarily kept by a licensed veterinarian, a licensed kennel, or a licensed animal shelter or a licensed municipal pound who maintain on their premises cats owned by others.
(d)
A cat temporarily kept by owners of a licensed pet shop for purposes of sale or by a licensed animal shelter or a licensed municipal pound for purposes of adoption.
(e)
A cat kept exclusively indoors or confined in outdoor areas and maintained for pedigreed cat breeding and stud purposes.
For purposes of this section, "identification" means: a traceable form of identification such as (1) a collar and a flat or hanging tag worn by a cat which includes the current name, address and telephone number of the owner, or (2) a rabies vaccination tag, or (3) an ear tag issued by a licensed veterinarian or by a licensed animal shelter or licensed municipal pound, or (4) a registered microchip which is used in conjunction with a visible collar and tag or in conjunction with a faceted, reflective ear stud, or (5) a tag from a licensed animal shelter or licensed municipal pound, or (6) a tattoo registered with the national dog registry or other similar national tattoo service, or (7) a cat license issued by a Rhode Island city or town, or (8) a collar incorporating embroidery as a type of information labeling rather than a hanging or flat tag or (9) in the case of feral cats, a tipped or notched ear in conjunction with a microchip or any of the above other forms of identification. The intent is to allow flexibility in the types of identification available for cats and to incorporate other types of cat identification in the future as they are developed.
(Ch. 291, 12-4-23)
State Law reference— R.I.G.L. §§ 4-22-2, 4-22-3
Sec. 4-89. - Spaying or neutering required.#
No person shall own, keep or harbor a cat more than six (6) months old that has not been spayed or neutered unless that person has a permit to keep an unaltered cat, a permit to breed the cat or a statement signed by a licensed veterinarian that it would be inappropriate to spay or neuter a cat because of the cat's age or health.
(Ch. 291, 12-4-23)
State Law reference— R.I.G.L. § 4-24-3
Sec. 4-90. - Permit to keep unaltered cat.#
(a)
Any person who declines to spay or neuter his or her cat shall obtain a permit to keep an unaltered cat.
(b)
An applicant shall submit an application to the animal control officer. The application shall include a statement, signed by the applicant, that the cat for which the permit is sought will not be bred unless the owner first obtains a breeding permit for that cat. The animal control officer shall have the authority to require the applicant to appear in person to submit the application. The animal control officer shall forward the completed application to the town clerk, who shall issue the permit upon the recommendation of the animal control officer.
(Ch. 291, 12-4-23)
State Law reference— R.I.G.L. § 4-24-3
Sec. 4-91. - Permit to breed cat.#
(a)
No person shall cause or allow any male or female cat to breed without first obtaining a breeding permit.
(b)
An applicant shall submit an application to the animal control officer. The animal control officer shall forward the completed application to the town clerk, who shall issue the permit upon the recommendation of the animal control officer.
(c)
The following conditions shall apply to all cat breeding permits:
(1)
No kitten shall be sold or placed unless it is at least eight (8) weeks old and has received all immunizations required by law.
(2)
The permit holder shall prominently display the permit number in any advertisement offering kittens for adoption or sale and shall provide the permit number to any person who adopts or buys a kitten.
(Ch. 291, 12-4-23)
State Law reference— R.I.G.L. § 4-24-4
Sec. 4-92. - Conditions of permit.#
The following conditions shall apply to all permits to keep an unaltered cat and all permits to breed cats: (1)
A permit holder shall obtain a separate permit for each cat.
(2)
The fee for the permit is twenty-five dollars ($25.00).
(3)
The permit shall expire one (1) year from the date it was issued.
(4)
Permits are not transferrable.
(5)
The permit holder shall adhere to the minimum standards for the care and keeping of animals contained in this chapter and in title 4 of the R.I.G.L..
(Ch. 291, 12-4-23)
State Law reference— R.I.G.L. § 4-24-4
Sec. 4-93. - Revocation of permit.#
(a)
Any permit issued to breed or keep an unaltered cat may be revoked if the animal control officer has reasonable cause to believe any of the following to be true:
(1)
The permittee has violated the provisions of this chapter or any other state statutes or local ordinances relating to the keeping, care or use of any animal;
(2)
The permittee is in violation of any state health or safety law or regulation regarding animal care or control;
(3)
The permittee has failed to comply with any condition or requirement of the permit or has failed to pay any fee imposed under this section;
(4)
The permittee refuses to allow inspection, upon forty-eight (48) hours of written notice, of any cat covered by the permit or the premises on which the animal is kept; or
(5)
The permittee has transferred, sold or otherwise disposed of the cat for which the permit was issued.
(b)
If, after investigation, the animal control officer concludes that it is probable that one (1) or more of the above grounds for revocation has occurred, he or she shall cause written notice thereof to be transmitted by mail to the address of the permittee. The notice shall specify the grounds of possible revocation of the permit and shall specify a date and time for an informal hearing to be held before the animal control officer. The date shall be not less than five (5) days subsequent to the date the notice is mailed. After the informal hearing, the animal control officer may modify the terms of the permit or revoke the permit. Provided, further, that if the health or well-being of the animal is in danger the animal control officer of that city or town may take custody and control of the animal until such time that a hearing is conducted pursuant to this subsection.
(Ch. 291, 12-4-23)
State Law reference— R.I.G.L. § 4-24-6
Sec. 4-94. - Violations.#
Any person who violates the permit provisions related to cats shall have no more than thirty (30) days to have their cat spayed or neutered or provide proof from a licensed veterinarian indicating that arrangements have been made to spay or neuter their cat(s). The animal control officer shall inform persons subject to this law to the availability of reduced cost or free spay/neuter programs available for low-income persons and any programs sponsored by local humane organizations offering low-cost spaying or neutering. If an animal is not spayed or neutered within thirty (30) days of the notice, he or she shall be subject to a seventy-five-dollar ($75.00) fine for each thirty (30) days the animal is not spayed or neutered. Funds generated pursuant to this section shall be deposited in the spay/neuter account of the town to be used to fund low-cost spay/neuter programs in accordance with R.I.G.L. § 4-24-13.
(Ch. 291, 12-4-23)
State Law reference— R.I.G.L. 4-24-10
Sec. 4-95. - Farm cats exempt.#
Cats kept on any tract of land devoted to commercial agricultural use are exempt from the identification requirements of this article.
(Ch. 291, 12-4-23)