Dallas County, TX Animal Ordinances: Cat Rules (2026)
Key Facts
- Rabies statute
- TX H&S Code Chapter 826
- Vaccination age
- Four months and older
- Lead agency
- Dallas County HHS
- Licensing
- Set by each city
- TNR programs
- City-operated, varies
Summary
Dallas County has no dedicated cat ordinance. Texas Health and Safety Code Chapter 826 mandates rabies vaccination for cats over four months. Dallas County HHS oversees rabies control; cities run licensing, TNR, and nuisance enforcement.
Sec. 826.021. VACCINATION OF DOGS AND CATS REQUIRED. (a) Except as otherwise provided by department rule, the owner of a dog or cat shall have the animal vaccinated against rabies by the time the animal is four months of age and at regular intervals thereafter as prescribed by department rule. (b) A veterinarian who vaccinates a dog or cat against rabies shall issue to the animal's owner a vaccination certificate in a form that meets the minimum standards approved by the executive commissioner. (c) A county or municipality may not register or license an animal that has not been vaccinated in accordance with this section.
Full Breakdown
Under Texas Health and Safety Code Chapter 826 and Texas Administrative Code Title 25 Chapter 169, every cat over four months must carry a current rabies vaccination administered by a licensed veterinarian. Dallas County Health and Human Services serves as the local rabies control authority, coordinating bite reports, quarantines, and rabies testing through the state lab. Counties cannot impose stricter pet rules in incorporated areas, so cat licensing, leash exemptions, trap-neuter-return programs, and nuisance feeding rules vary by city. Dallas, Irving, Garland, and Mesquite each operate distinct cat policies, including community-cat TNR partnerships with rescue groups.
Violations & Fines
Unvaccinated cats trigger Class C misdemeanor citations under Chapter 826, with fines up to five hundred dollars. Bite incidents force ten-day quarantine at owner expense; chronic noncompliance can lead to impound and additional municipal penalties.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Dallas County license cats?
Is trap-neuter-return legal countywide?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Dallas County
Texas rules heatmap·Compare Dallas County to another location·View the Texas animal ordinances overview
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