Rhode Island § 4-22-5 - Cat Identification Program

§ 4-22-5. Holding at-large or impounded cats.

(a) In the case of any at-large or roaming or feral cat released to or impounded in a licensed animal shelter or licensed municipal pound wearing any form of identification specified in the definitions section the animal shelter or pound shall make a reasonable attempt to notify the owner by telephone, or by sending written notice to the owner. The at-large or roaming or feral cat shall be held by the animal shelter or pound for not less than five days, after which time the animal shelter or pound may offer the cat for adoption, sale or otherwise dispose of the cat, if not sooner recovered by the owner. The five days shall not include any day or part thereof that the public pound or animal shelter is not open for a specified period of time, not to be less than one-half the normal hours of business. An owner wishing to recover the cat shall pay the reasonable and customary daily impoundment fees and other associated fees for each full day, or fraction thereof, that the cat is held by the animal shelter or pound. The provisions of this section relating to the five (5) day holding period shall not be deemed to apply to any cat which, impounded hereunder, was injured or maimed, and after the cat has been examined by a licensed veterinarian who shall confirm, in writing, that the cat be destroyed for humanitarian purposes.

(b) In the case of any at-large or roaming or feral cat released to or impounded in a licensed animal shelter or licensed municipal pound not wearing any form of identification as specified in the definitions section, the animal shelter or pound shall hold the at-large or roaming or feral cat for not less than two (2) days, after which time the animal shelter or pound may offer the cat for adoption, sale or otherwise dispose of the cat, if not sooner recovered by a person claiming ownership. The two (2) days shall not include any day or part thereof that the public pound or animal shelter is not open for a specified period of time, not to be less than one-half the normal hours of business. The owner or keeper of any cat so impounded shall pay the reasonable and customary daily impoundment fees and other associated fees for each full day, or fraction thereof, that the cat is held at the animal shelter or pound. The provisions of this section relating to the two (2) day holding period shall not be deemed to apply to any cat which, impounded hereunder, was injured or maimed, and after the cat has been examined by a licensed veterinarian who shall confirm, in writing, that the cat be destroyed for humanitarian purposes.

(c) If an at-large or roaming or feral cat without identification released to or impounded in a licensed animal shelter or a licensed municipal pound is dangerous and presents a danger to the safety of shelter personnel, the cat may be euthanized prior to the expiration of its holding period at the discretion of an animal control officer, a licensed veterinarian or the shelter management.