Lucknow: Cat owners in the city will now have to obtain a licence from the Lucknow Municipal Corporation (LMC), with the state govt bringing cats under the same regulatory framework as dogs through the newly notified Pet Animal Licensing, Control and Regulation Bylaws, 2025.Earlier, licensing was mandatory only for dogs under the 2004 bylaws. The revised rules make licence compulsory for both dogs and cats and prescribe penalties for violations.Under the new bylaws, residents must inform the municipal corporation within 15 days of acquiring a dog or cat.Pet owners found keeping animals without a valid licence can face fines ranging from Rs 1,000 to Rs 5,000, along with an additional penalty of Rs 50 per day for continued non-compliance. In persistent cases, the animal may also be seized.Under the bylaws, households up to 200 sq yards can keep a maximum of two dogs, while those above 300 sq yards can keep four. Animal shelter norms will apply to households keeping more than five dogs. The rules also mandate a minimum space of 10 sq ft for each cat and 22 sq ft for larger pets.The rules also empower the municipal commissioner or an authorised officer to inspect pets and the premises where they are housed.Licences will be valid from April 1 to March 31 every year and can be obtained online through the LMC website. Appeals against licensing decisions can be filed before the municipal commissioner within 30 days, with a further appeal lying before the mayor.Municipal corporation animal welfare officer Dr Abhinav Verma said the revised bylaws issued by the state govt formally bring cats under the licensing framework for the first time.
