Garland, TX Animal Ordinances: Cat Rules (2026)
Key Facts
- General at-large ban
- Applies to every animal except a cat (§22.03(A))
- Cat impoundment trigger
- Nuisance or hazard complaint only (§22.03(B))
- Nuisance standard
- "Persistent laxness" disturbing a neighbor (§22.08(4))
- Self-help trapping
- Owner may trap, must notify Animal Services promptly
- Feral colony exemption
- Approved advocacy groups exempt from notice duty
- Rabies vaccination
- Required age 12-16 weeks, same as dogs (§22.04(A))
Summary
Garland is the rare city that lets cats roam: Section 22.03(A) bars every animal from running at large except a cat, and a cat can only be impounded on a nuisance complaint under Section 22.08. Persistent laxness that lets a cat disturb a neighbor "of ordinary sensibilities" is still a citable offense.
(A) It shall be unlawful for any owner of an animal, other than a cat, to cause, permit, suffer or allow the animal to run at large. (B) The supervisor, any Animal Service Officer, or any police officer is authorized to and may impound an animal found running at large, other than a cat. The supervisor, an Animal Service Officer, or a police officer may impound a cat under the conditions specified in section 22.08 of this article upon receipt of a complaint that the cat causes a nuisance or hazard to the health or welfare of any person or animal. ... § 22.08(4) For an owner to cause, suffer or allow, by persistent laxness in supervision, a cat to run at large in such a manner or to such a degree that the cat disturbs another person of ordinary sensibilities.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: rev 4862189; v40 updated 2026-05-19).
Full Breakdown
05(B) lets any owner or occupant humanely trap a cat found habitually and without consent on their premises, so long as Animal Services is promptly notified afterward; failing to notify, or hauling a trapped cat anywhere but the shelter, is itself a violation. That same subsection exempts feral-colony caretakers, stating that "trapping done by a feral cat advocacy group that is approved by the Supervisor of Animal Services shall be exempt from this subsection," which effectively protects managed trap-neuter-return colonies from the notification duty. 04(A) apply to cats identically to dogs.
Violations & Fines
An Animal Service Officer or police officer may cite an owner under Section 22.08(4) once a persistent-laxness nuisance complaint is substantiated, and the cat can then be impounded per Section 22.03(B). Interfering with a neighbor's authorized humane trapping is a separate offense under Section 22.05(C). Two or more article violations tied to a cat in a 12-month period also count toward the excessive-animals review the Supervisor of Animal Services can order under Section 22.21.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Garland require cats to be leashed or confined?
Can Animal Services pick up my outdoor cat in Garland?
Are feral cat colony caretakers exempt from Garland's trapping rules?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Garland
Texas rules heatmap·Compare Garland to another location·View the Texas animal ordinances overview
See something wrong?
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.
Cat Rules in Nearby Cities
How other cities in Dallas County handle cat rules.