NC S511

Healthy unowned cats impounded at shelters may be sterilized, ear-tipped, vaccinated for rabies, and returned to their trapping location without meeting the standard 72-hour minimum holding period.

Animal shelters must maintain records of all cats disposed of under the new provision and report the number of cats returned to trapping locations in their annual reports to the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services.

Cats with tipped ears indicating sterilization and vaccination are exempt from wearing rabies vaccination tags, and animal control officers shall recognize tipped ears as evidence of prior sterilization and vaccination.

Animal control officers may sterilize, ear-tip, vaccinate, and return healthy unowned cats found without owner identification to their trapping locations without a mandatory impoundment period.

The act becomes effective October 1, 2023.