FERAL CAT COLONIES

Minneapolis Code of Ordinances tit. 4, ch. 67

in effect

Minneapolis Code of Ordinances § 67.10 In general.

67.10. - In general. Feral cat colonies shall be permitted and feral cat colony caretakers shall be entitled to maintain and care for feral cats by providing food, water, shelter, medical care, and other forms of sustenance, provided that the feral cat colonies are registered with and approved by a MACC registered sponsor, as defined in this title, and that the feral cat colony caretaker takes all appropriate and available steps to meet the terms and conditions of this title. (Ord. No. 2016-009, § 1, 2-12-16)

Minneapolis Code of Ordinances § 67.20 Sponsorship of colony TNR programs.

67.20. - Sponsorship of colony TNR programs. Any humane animal-related organization, registered as a nonprofit with the State of Minnesota, that meets the requirements of this title imposed upon sponsors shall be eligible to act as a sponsor. Any humane animal-related organization intending to undertake the responsibilities of sponsor shall so advise MACC in writing and provide organizational information, including the organization's name, address, telephone number, board member's names, contact person, and electronic mail addresses, as appropriate and requested. (Ord. No. 2016-009, § 1, 2-12-16)

Minneapolis Code of Ordinances § 67.30 Sponsor requirements.

67.30. - Sponsor requirements. In order to operate as an approved sponsor, the nonprofit shall be registered with MACC and shall reasonably complete the following requirements: (1) Review, and in its discretion, approve feral cat colony caretakers. (2) Take reasonable steps necessary to resolve any complaints over the conduct of a feral cat colony caretaker or of cats within a colony. (3) Maintain records provided by feral cat colony caretakers on the size and location of the colonies as well as the vaccination, microchip registration information, photographs of the cats, and spay and neuter records of cats in the sponsor's colonies. These records must be made available upon request to MACC for review and to accredited researchers as identified by MACC for the purpose of research in which the confidentiality of the names and addresses of the colony caretakers is protected. (4) Provide, at a minimum, written educational training for all caretakers addressing uniform standards and procedures for colony maintenance. (5) Report annually to MACC on the following: a. Number and location by zip code or other identified and requested parameter of colonies, excluding the names and addresses of colony caretakers, for which it acts as a sponsor in the city. b. Total number of cats in each of its colonies. c. Number of cats from its colonies microchipped, vaccinated, spayed, and neutered pursuant to the TNR program and number of cats and kittens from its colonies placed in permanent homes. (6) A sponsor shall not permit feral cat colonies to be managed within one-half (½) mile of the edge of any public lands encompassing a creek, river, or body of water of six (6) acres or more in size. (7) Provide any forms or other documentation necessary to allow feral cat colony caretakers to receive any public or private subsidies, medical care, or other forms of assistance for their feral cat colonies which may be available to them. (8) Provide to MACC the location, by address, of feral cat colonies where feral cat colony caretakers have regularly failed to comply with this chapter or where the sponsor has been unable to resolve a nuisance behavior situation. (9) Annually visit all feral cat colonies registered with their organization. (Ord. No. 2016-009, § 1, 2-12-16)

Minneapolis Code of Ordinances § 67.40 Feral cat colony caretaker responsibilities.

67.40. - Feral cat colony caretaker responsibilities. In order to be an approved feral cat colony caretaker, said caretakers shall reasonably complete the following: (1) Register the colony with the sponsor. (2) Take all appropriate and available steps to vaccinate the colony population for rabies, preferably with a three (3) year vaccine, and to update the vaccinations as warranted and mandated by law. (3) Take all appropriate and available steps to have the colony population spayed or neutered by a licensed veterinarian. (4) Eartip the ear of a colony cat that has been vaccinated and spayed or neutered, so that colony cats can be readily identified. (5) Have an EAID inserted into each colony cat by a veterinarian in accordance with professional medical standards. The sponsor and/or the feral cat colony caretaker shall be the named contacts for purposes of registering the EAID. (6) Provide the sponsor with descriptions and photographs of each cat in the colony and copies of documents demonstrating that the cats have been vaccinated, microchipped, and spayed or neutered. (7) Provide food, water, and shelter for colony cats. Food shall only be provided for a period not to exceed three (3) hours per day. (8) Obtain proper medical attention for any colony cat that appears to require it. (9) Observe the colony cats at least twice per week and keep a record of any illness or unusual behavior noticed in any colony cat. (10) Obtain the written approval of the owner of any property, or any authorized representative of the owner, to which the caretaker requires access to provide colony care. (11) Take all reasonable steps to: a. Remove kittens from the colony as early as appropriate. b. Place the kittens in homes or foster homes for the purpose of subsequent permanent placement. c. Capture and spay the mother cat. (12) Report semiannually in writing to the sponsor on: a. The location of the colony. b. The number and gender of all cats in the colony. c. The number of cats that died or otherwise ceased being a part of the colony. d. The number of kittens born to colony cats and their disposition. e. The number of cats placed in animal shelters or in permanent homes as companion cats. f. The number of cats vaccinated. g. The number of cats microchipped and eartipped. h. The number of cats spayed or neutered. (13) Take reasonable steps necessary to resolve any complaints over the conduct of cats within a colony. (14) Educate neighbors, within a four (4) block area, on the nature of TNR and resources which shall minimally include the sponsor's contact information and any other information required by MACC. (Ord. No. 2016-009, § 1, 2-12-16)

Minneapolis Code of Ordinances § 67.50 Withdrawal of feral cat colony caretaker or sponsor.

67.50. - Withdrawal of feral cat colony caretaker or sponsor. In the event that a feral cat colony caretaker is unable or unwilling to continue in that role, he or she shall notify his or her sponsor. In the event a sponsor is unable or unwilling to continue to perform its role, it shall so advise MACC. The sponsor shall work with MACC to obtain a replacement sponsor. If no new sponsor is found within thirty (30) days, the sponsor shall notify MACC. (Ord. No. 2016-009, § 1, 2-12-16)

Minneapolis Code of Ordinances § 67.60 Disposition of feral colony cats.

67.60. - Disposition of feral colony cats. An animal control officer who has a trapped cat whose right or left ear has been tipped or which bears some other distinguishing mark, such as but not limited to a tattoo, indicating that it belongs to a feral cat colony, shall scan the cat for an EAID. If an EAID is found, the officer shall attempt to contact the sponsor or feral cat colony caretaker. If an EAID is not found, the officer shall take reasonable steps to notify a sponsor of the description and sex of the cat, and if available, the address or location where the cat was trapped. The sponsor shall then take all appropriate and available steps to identify the feral cat colony caretaker of the cat or a feral cat colony caretaker who will take responsibility for managing the cat. If the feral cat colony caretaker is not able to immediately take custody of the cat, the officer shall transport the cat to MACC. The feral cat colony caretaker shall be responsible for retrieving the cat from the shelter within three (3) business days or advising the shelter if he or she does not intend to retrieve the cat; no fees will be charged for cats reclaimed within three (3) business days. In all other cases normal impound and kennel fees apply. MACC, its designee, or a licensed veterinarian, in accordance with this title shall be the only persons permitted to destroy a feral cat. No person may knowingly cause physical harm to or cause the destruction by any means of a feral cat. The only exception will be by written permit from the Minnesota Department of Agriculture or the Minnesota Department of Health for the purpose of controlling diseases transmissible to humans or other animals and only when all other methods and means have been exhausted. Such a permit shall name a person or persons conducting the activities, specify the items and products to be used, give the boundaries of the area involved and specify the precautionary measures to be employed to ensure the safety of humans and other animals. Any drugs used for the euthanasia shall be administered by or under the direction of a licensed veterinarian. (Ord. No. 2016-009, § 1, 2-12-16)

Minneapolis Code of Ordinances § 67.70 Enforcement.

67.70. - Enforcement. (a) MACC or its designee, in order to encourage the stabilization and reduction of the feral cat population in the City of Minneapolis, shall have, in addition to any other rights and powers provided pursuant to this Code, state statute or applicable law, the powers enumerated in this section. (1) MACC is authorized to trap in a humane manner and remove any feral cats that: a. Have not been vaccinated against rabies or which are demonstrating signs of the disease. b. Are not spayed or neutered. c. Have bitten or injured a person or domestic pet. d. Are not identifiable through an EAID as belonging to a feral cat colony that has a sponsor and a feral cat colony caretaker. e. Belong to a colony that is illegally being managed within one-half (½) mile of the edge of any public lands encompassing a creek, river or body of water of six (6) acres or more in size. f. Pose any other public health or public safety concerns. g. If no issue of public health or safety exists, or if any issues of public health and safety can be addressed by the removal and relocation of the cat to another area, a sponsor may arrange to have the cat spayed or neutered, eartipped, and vaccinated against rabies by a licensed veterinarian, and have an EAID inserted. The sponsor may then arrange for the cat to be adopted or placed in a feral cat colony. h. If a feral cat is demonstrating signs of having rabies, or has an illness or injury that presents an imminent danger to the public health or safety, or to its own person, the cat shall be humanely destroyed. (2) MACC is authorized to direct that a sponsor remove a feral cat that is creating a nuisance or harm if the sponsor has failed to adequately resolve the issue within thirty (30) days (or such shorter time period as MACC may specify) after being given written notice thereof. In the event that MACC directs the sponsor to remove the cat, the sponsor shall have thirty (30) days (or a shorter period as MACC may specify) to do so. Failure of the sponsor to remove the cat within said time period as specified shall constitute grounds for MACC to remove the cat and/or remove the sponsor as a registered sponsor. (b) Animal control officers or police officers shall investigate any nuisance or harm complaint allegedly caused by a feral cat. (1) In the event that an animal control officer or police officer finds that a feral cat or feral cat colony has created a nuisance or harm, the animal control officer or police officer shall advise the sponsor in writing of the issue. (2) The sponsor shall have the right to review the matter with MACC or MACC's designee. If the sponsor is not able to satisfy MACC or MACC's designee that the nuisance or other violation has not or is not occurring, the sponsor shall have thirty (30) days (or shorter time period as MACC may specify) to comply with the direction with respect to correcting the issue. If the sponsor fails to correct the issue, MACC shall have the right to remove the cat and/or remove the sponsor as a registered sponsor. (c) If a sponsor fails to perform its responsibilities under this chapter, MACC may notify the sponsor that it must comply with the requirements of this chapter within thirty (30) days. If the sponsor fails to do so or repeatedly fails to comply with the requirements of this chapter, MACC may remove the sponsor from being a registered sponsor, and may reassign the feral cat colonies from the sponsor to another approved sponsor. (d) If a feral cat colony caretaker regularly fails to comply with the requirements of this chapter, the sponsor may notify the feral cat colony caretaker that he or she has thirty (30) days to make all reasonable efforts to fulfill the responsibilities of this chapter. If the feral cat colony caretaker fails to comply within that time period or has received more than one (1) notification, the sponsor shall remove approval for the person from being a feral cat colony caretaker and may identify and obtain replacement feral cat colony caretakers for the feral cat colonies of the noncompliant feral cat colony caretaker. If no other feral cat colony caretaker can be found within thirty (30) days, the sponsor shall notify MACC and MACC may humanely remove all, or portions of, the feral cat colonies and dispose of them in accordance with this title. (e) Any sponsor or feral cat colony caretaker that has been removed from being a registered sponsor or removed as an approved feral cat colony caretaker due to noncompliance issues shall not be allowed to be a sponsor or a feral cat colony caretaker for one (1) year from the date of their removal. (f) Feral cats that were spayed or neutered and vaccinated for rabies prior to the commencement of the city's feral cat colony program, but did not have an EAID inserted or were marked as feral by some indication other than an eartip, such as but not limited to a tattoo, shall be deemed to be in compliance with this chapter if all other requirements are being met by their feral cat colony caretaker. Feral cat colony caretakers shall take all appropriate and available steps to bring these cats into compliance with the provisions of this article within three (3) years of its enactment or upon revaccination of the cats for rabies, whichever comes first. (Ord. No. 2016-009, § 1, 2-12-16)

Minneapolis Code of Ordinances § 67.80 Abandonment of feral cats prohibited.

67.80. - Abandonment of feral cats prohibited. No person having the care, custody, and control of any feral cats shall abandon said animals anywhere in the city, nor introduce said animals from outside the city into an existing feral cat colony inside the city. (Ord. No. 2016-009, § 1, 2-12-16)

Source: City of Minneapolis, Minnesota, Code of Ordinances, City Charter and Park and Recreation Board Code of Ordinances (Municode Library, library.municode.com)URL: https://library.municode.com/mn/minneapolis/codes/code_of_ordinances?nodeId=COOR_TIT4ANCACO_CH67FECACOFetched: 11/2/2026