Animals: cats; establishment and promotion of community cat programs; provide for. Creates new act.

Michigan House Bill 6317 establishes a legal framework for community cat programs by defining free-roaming cats without visible identification as "community cats" and exempting them from state and local licensing, at-large, and feeding restrictions. The bill authorizes program sponsors to release these cats back into their original locations after they have been sterilized, vaccinated against rabies, and ear-tipped, a process that must be performed while the animal is anesthetized. Individuals who care for these cats are legally protected from being classified as owners or possessors, which prevents them from violating local pet ownership limits, though they remain subject to existing laws prohibiting animal cruelty and neglect. Sponsors and caretakers are required to maintain sterilization and vaccination records for at least three years and make reasonable efforts to arrange veterinary care for sick or injured animals.