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
Fort Worth Animal Care & Control recommends a proactive approach toward wildlife. 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 of the United States provides a wealth of 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) with a reasonably possible human exposure.
- Animals that have bitten or scratched a human.
- Injured or sick wildlife.
- Coyote and feral hog mitigation.
- Raccoons, skunks and foxes are considered “high-risk” animals for rabies in Texas. Because of this, Animal Control will pick them up if they are privately trapped and will dispose of them appropriately. Residents are prohibited by law from relocating these animals
It’s always best to leave wildlife alone. Don’t touch or bother them.
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 Department handles issues concern loose livestock (horses, goats, pigs, etc.) within Fort Worth city limits. Call 817-884-1212 to report.