Sec. 4-38. - Colony Management
Broward County recognizes that there are community cat caregivers and acknowledges that community cats living in colonies may be tolerated living outdoors, provided such cats are cared for in accordance with the following requirements:

(a)All community cats living in colonies shall be cared for on the private property of the community cat caregiver or with the permission of the property owner or property manager.(b)Community cat caregivers shall provide certain necessities on a regular and ongoing basis, including, but not limited to, proper nutrition and medical care, as needed.(c)Community cats living in colonies shall be sterilized, ear-tipped, and vaccinated for rabies. Community cats living in colonies shall be exempt from rabies registration tag requirements of Section 4-11 and the stray animal provisions of Section 4-23.(d)Food shall be provided in a quantity appropriate for the number of cats being managed and shall be supplied no less than once per day. Food must be placed in feeding containers and shall not be placed on the ground. Food shall not be left out for more than three (3) hours in any twenty-four (24) hour period.(e)Water, if supplied, must be clean, potable, and free from debris and algae.(f)Shelter, if provided, shall be unobtrusive, safe, and of the proper size for the community cat(s).(g)Healthy community cats that have been impounded by the Division may be immediately returned-to-field, released to a community cat caregiver, or, if considered sufficiently socialized, adopted. Notwithstanding the foregoing, whenever an impounded community cat is visibly injured or diseased, appears to be suffering, and upon the advice of the Division's veterinarian, such community cat cannot be expeditiously cured and returned to an outdoor living environment, or transferred to a rescue group, then the Division may humanely euthanize the community cat.

(Ord. No. 2015-37, § 1, 9-10-15; Ord. No. 2026-03, § 1, 2-3-26)

Sec. 4-39. - Community Cat Management Programs
(a) Broward County acknowledges the need to address the permanent presence of community cats living in an outdoor environment, independent of human intervention. Management programs to reduce the uncontrolled reproduction of community cats shall be implemented by the Director to provide for the sterilization and return-to-field of all healthy community cats entering Broward County Animal Care.(1)All community cats entering Broward County Animal Care shall be counted toward intake and, upon return-to-field, shall be counted as a live-release.(2)All community cats entering Broward County Animal Care shall be examined for temperament to evaluate their ability to survive in an outdoor environment with or without assistance from a community cat caregiver.(3)Community cats shall be sterilized, ear-tipped, vaccinated, and returned to a safe location in close proximity to the original point of pick-up by an officer or released to an approved rescue group.(b)Community cats shall be exempt from the rabies registration tag requirements of Section 4-11 and the stray animal provisions of Section 4-23.(c)Trap-neuter-return. Broward County recognizes there are community cats that may not enter the shelter or be under the care of a community cat caregiver. Management programs to curtail breeding of community cats may be implemented, funded, or otherwise supported by the Director to provide for trapping, sterilization, and return-to-field of healthy community cats.(1)Community cats shall be sterilized, ear-tipped, vaccinated, and returned to a safe location in close proximity to the original point of pick-up.(2)Community cats may be returned-to-field by an officer or a community cat caregiver in accordance with the provisions of this section.

(Ord. No. 2015-37, § 1, 9-10-15; Ord. No. 2026-03, § 1, 2-3-26)