Read the Ordinance:  Animals Chapter 9.02, Traps

Visit the Why Trapping Will Not Work Webpage

Traps should not be set during inclement weather, or extreme cold or hot temperature conditions.

Live animal traps are a humane tool to capture feral and community cats to participate in the Trap-Neuter-Return (TNR) program. Setting a live trap means accepting responsibility for the animal’s well-being until the animal is processed through the TNR program. It is the responsibility of the participant in the TNR program to bring the feral or community cat to a scheduled TNR event for TNR services and return to retrieve the cat(s) from the event after the services are performed, to return the cat(s) to the location where they were trapped for release.

• Learn more about the TNR program

Animal Services provides live animal traps for Arlington residents and businesses to borrow for the TNR program on a first-come, first-serve basis at no charge. To borrow a trap from the center, call first to check availability. Traps obtained from the center are available to use for up to two weeks (14 days). A waiting list is available when all of the traps are in use.

• Read the Ordinance: Animals Chapter IX, Section 9.02, Traps

Call Animal Services at 817-459-5898 as soon as possible to report an animal is in the trap. Provide your name, address location, and a description of the animal in a trap.

Things to Keep in Mind Before Getting or Setting a Trap

• Trapped animals must be sheltered and checked frequently during the day (refer to the Animals Chapter of the Ordinance for specific details)
• Traps should not be set during inclement weather, or during temperature extremes
• If an animal other than a feral or community cat is trapped, it is the trapper's responsibility to release the animal or contact a wildlife rescue or rehabilitator organization for assistance
• Leaving an animal in a trap for an extended period of time without notifying Animal Services constitutes animal cruelty under the laws of the Animals Chapter and the State of Texas, and is punishable by fines and/or imprisonment
• Borrowed traps are the sole responsibility of the borrower
  • Do not lend the trap to any other person, or remove it from your property
  • You will be held responsible for any expenses incurred by Arlington Animal Services to repair or replace the trap if it is damaged, lost, or stolen
• See information about the Trap-Neuter-Return (TNR) Program for feral cats in Arlington

Call 817-459-5898, or email [email protected] for more information.