Fort Worth has a wide range of urban wildlife living in the community due to numerous parks, waterways and greenbelts. In a move toward more humane practices, Animal Care & Control no longer picks up or provides traps to capture wildlife.
This includes rabbits, opossums, squirrels, snakes, rats and other wild animals. Wildlife rescue groups are much better equipped at handling and housing wildlife than Animal Care & Control, whose focus is and always has been dogs and cats.
Important wildlife tip: Be proactive
Preventing wild animals from becoming accustomed to people is the first step in reducing human/wildlife interactions. Wildlife will continue to come to people’s homes as long as there is food, water or shelter for them.
The Humane Society provides humane solutions for wild animal problems in homes, yards or gardens.
The City does not handle small nuisance wildlife, with the following exceptions:
- High-risk rabies suspects (bats, foxes, raccoons, coyotes, skunks) if there is a reasonable chance of human or pet exposure. Residents are not permitted to relocate these animals themselves.
- Animals that have bitten or scratched a human or pet.
- Injured or sick wildlife. (Raccoons, skunks, foxes, bats and coyotes)
- Coyote and feral hog mitigation.
It's best to avoid touching or interacting with wildlife.
What if I need help trapping or removing a wild animal?
There are several private companies in Fort Worth that will trap/pick up wild animals for a fee. Search online for “animal rescue and removal services” or “pest control.”
For questions regarding wildlife rescue and rehabilitation, call 817-392-1234.
What if I see loose livestock?
The Tarrant County Sheriff's Office handles issues concern loose livestock (horses, goats, pigs, etc.) within Fort Worth city limits. Call 817-884-1212 to report.