District Office Altona

Free-roaming cats in Hamburg: Rules, responsibilities and registration

Find out how Hamburg regulates the handling of free-roaming cats.

Detailed description

This service provides general information about the applicable regulations and measures. It is aimed at all interested citizens as well as people who keep cats or intend to keep them in the future.


If your cat is to be allowed outdoors, you, as the owner, are required to have the animal microchipped by a veterinarian. Additionally, you must have your cat neutered and registered with an approved agency once it is five months old or older.



A controlled exercise, for example on a leash or in an area enclosed by fences, is not included.

 

Information

Prerequisites

No

Documents required

No

Please note

The aim of these regulations is to clearly identify free-roaming cats and limit uncontrolled breeding. This should reduce disease, injuries, and the emergence of further free-roaming cats.

Deadlines

No deadlines need to be observed.

Procedure

Information regarding free-roaming cats can be submitted to the responsible authority via email at katzenschutz@altona.hamburg.de.

Processing time

No

Fees

No

Legal remedies

No legal remedy is provided for.

Legal basis

Cat Protection Ordinance


https://www.landesrecht-hamburg.de/bsha/document/jlr-KatSchVHArahmen

Address and contact information

District Office Altona

specialist office for consumer protection, trade and the environment

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Keywords: Free-roaming cat outdoor cat Cat protection Cats identify Cats mark microchip Free-roaming cats Register cats Cat reproduction

Last updated: 10.10.2026