DE HB178

Defines "community cats" as un-owned free-roaming cats that have been sterilized, vaccinated against rabies, ear-tipped, and returned to the field.

Defines "community cat caretakers" as persons providing shelter, medical care, or food to feral or free-roaming cats without becoming legal owners.

Exempts persons providing sterilization or life-sustaining care to free-roaming cats from liability under animal cruelty laws relating to custody, care, or control.

Establishes "ear-tip" marking (removal of approximately one-quarter inch from tip of left ear) as identification for sterilized and vaccinated cats.

Requires animal shelters to track and report the number of cats returned to the field as part of community cat programs and allows shelters to exempt healthy ear-tipped cats from the standard 5-day holding period before euthanasia.