Dallas, TX Animal Ordinances: Cat Rules (2026)
Key Facts
- Registration age
- Cats over four months
- Rabies shot
- Required by licensed vet
- Tag display
- Must wear when outdoors
- TNR program
- Recognized by Animal Services
- Stray hold
- 72 hours untagged
Summary
Dallas Chapter 7 requires cats over four months old to be registered with Dallas Animal Services and vaccinated against rabies. Tags must be worn, and feral colony caretakers must comply with trap-neuter-return guidelines.
Sec. 826.022. VACCINATION; CRIMINAL PENALTY. (a) A person commits an offense if the person fails or refuses to have each dog or cat owned by the person vaccinated against rabies and the animal is required to be vaccinated under:(1) Section 826.021 and department rules; or(2) ordinances or rules adopted under this chapter by a county or municipality within whose jurisdiction the act occurs.(b) An offense under this section is a Class C misdemeanor.(c) If on the trial of an offense under this section the court finds that the person has been previously convicted of an offense under this section, the offense is a Class B misdemeanor.
Full Breakdown
Dallas treats cats and dogs similarly under Chapter 7. Owners must register each cat older than four months, pay an annual fee, and renew yearly. A current rabies vaccination administered by a Texas-licensed veterinarian is required before registration; certificates must be retained. Registered cats receive a tag that must be displayed on a collar when outdoors. Dallas Animal Services manages community cat programs and recognizes registered TNR (trap-neuter-return) caretakers, who ear-tip sterilized colony cats. Indoor-only cats still need rabies vaccination but enforcement focuses on cats found at large. Lost cats impounded without identification face shorter hold periods than tagged animals.
Violations & Fines
Failure to register or vaccinate carries fines starting at fifty dollars and increasing for repeat offenses. Impoundment fees, board, and required vaccination must be paid before reclaim. Untagged cats are held seventy-two hours before transfer or rehoming.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does my indoor-only cat need rabies vaccination?
Are community cats handled differently?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Dallas
Texas rules heatmap·Compare Dallas to another location·View the Texas animal ordinances overview
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Cat Rules in Nearby Cities
How other cities in Dallas County handle cat rules.