The Madison Department of Public Health Animal Control Unit reminds all cat owners of the following ordinance requirements within the limits of the City of Madison:

• Cats must be currently vaccinated for rabies.
• Cats must wear rabies vaccination, cat license, and owner identification tags.
• Cats must be leashed when off owner's property.
• Cats must not be allowed to run-at-large or trespass on public or private property.
• Cat litter must be free of feces before placing in the trash. Feces must be buried or flushed down the toilet.

Failure to observe the above ordinance requirements will result in the issuance of citations. These citations, in the City of Madison, start at $99.50 and range up to $222.50. Your municipality may charge different amounts.

Unowned and unvaccinated cats pose disease risks to residents and pets, and contribute to cat over-population. Madison residents are asked not to feed these animals. People concerned about feral (wild) cats in their neighborhood may rent a "live" trap from the Dane County Humane Society. Madison Animal Control will provide trapping assistance in cases where there are large numbers of feral cats.

Madison Animal Control also responds to complaints involving animal bites, stray domestic animals, cruelty and neglect, vicious animals, and those sick or injured (including wildlife).

For more information, contact Animal Control at 267-1989.

For license information, call the City Treasurer's Office at 266-4771.