Community Cat Program Overview
If you are a caretaker or trapper of feral and community cats, the City of Dallas subsidizes spay/neuter, core vaccinations (including rabies), microchip, and ear-tipping services at no cost to city of Dallas residents. Here are the options you have to get un-owned cats in our city fixed and vaccinated:
How to Get a Service Request (SR) Number
Residents of the city of Dallas can obtain a Service Request number through the 3-1-1 reporting system.
Option 1: Call 3-1-1 and ask for a SR number for community cats.
Option 2: Download the Our Dallas mobile app through the App Store or Google Play.
Option 3: Use the online form.
Notes for Trappers
You only need one Service Request number per address and you may reuse the SR multiple times. The SR number covers ear tip, microchip, core vaccinations (combo varies by vendor), rabies vaccine, post-surgery pain medication, and spay/neuter surgery for community cats. In the case the cat is lactating, pregnant, cryptorchid, or in heat, the SR does cover those additional costs, but service varies by participating agency and clinic. Please consult the appropriate clinic ahead of arrival if you have questions about their requirements or what additional services they can provide.
Monthly Events
Free Fix at Operation Kindness’ Dallas Lifesaving Partnerships Hub
On the last Wednesday of each month (pending holidays, please check the calendar here), Operation Kindness partners with Dallas Animal Services to provide free spay/neuter services for up to 75 unowned, free-roaming community cats for City of Dallas residents.
Drop-off is at 7 am and pick-up is at 3:30 pm at Operation Kindness’ Lifesaving Partnerships Hub, located conveniently near Dallas Animal Services, at 1771 Terre Colony Ct., Dallas, TX 75212.
Each surgery day is first come, first served, with no limit on the number of cats per caregiver. The services provided include the spay/neuter surgery, ear tip, FVRCP and rabies vaccinations, and microchip.
Cats must be dropped off in a humane trap, with one cat per trap; owned pets or community cats in carriers will not be accepted. Please include the caregiver’s name and contact information on the trap and cover with a towel.
No service request (SR) numbers required for these surgery days. Please contact Dallas Animal Services at communitycats@dallas.gov for any questions and more information.
First Thursday of the Month at DAS (with Spay Neuter Network)
On the first Thursday of each month, you can bring cats to Dallas Animal Services (1818 North Westmoreland Road) and Spay Neuter Network will pick them up and transport them to their clinic in Crandall, TX for surgery. Only 60 cats will be accepted. Check-in is at 7:00 a.m. but plan to arrive early to secure your place in line. Feral cats must be brought in humane traps, but community cats that allow handling may be brought in hard-sided carriers. Attach your name and phone number to the trap or carrier and cover with a towel. Cats must be at least 2 lbs. Please arrive by 5:00 p.m. at Dallas Animal Services (1818 North Westmoreland Road) to pick up your community cats.
Walk-Up Clinics
At Spay Neuter Network
Spay Neuter Network (SNN) accepts feral and community cats from residents of the city of Dallas with a Service Request number for free surgery. SNN accepts as many cats as the day’s schedule allows.
These cats are taken on a first-come-first-served basis Tuesday – Friday at their Dallas and Crandall clinics. SNN will take as many as capacity will allow with a maximum of 2 cats per person. No appointments are given. Check-in is at 9:00 a.m. SNN requests that you do not arrive until at most 20 minutes before check-in time, and if you do arrive early, please wait in your temperature-controlled vehicle. Check-out is at 4:30 p.m. Only one Service Request number is required per address.
Visit spayneuternet.org for more details. Please contact Spay Neuter Network if you have any questions.
Spay Neuter Society will accept feral and community cats from residents of the city of Dallas with a Service Request number for free surgeries. Spay Neuter Society will accept up to 10 walk-in feral cats Monday – Thursday.
Trappers should arrive by 8 a.m., check-in will cut off at 9 a.m. or once all 10 spots have been filled. All cats must arrive in a humane trap, one cat per trap. Cover trap with a towel or sheet. Pick up is at 3 p.m., arrive no later than 4 p.m.
To expedite the check-in process, trappers may email spayneutersociety@gmail.com ahead of time with their Service Request number, contact information, and anticipated drop-off date. Please note, emailing ahead of time does not guarantee a spot in line; this service is first come, first served.
By Appointment
At Texas Coalition for Animal Protection
Texas Coalition for Animal Protection (TCAP) community cats from city of Dallas residents with a Service Request number for free surgeries by appointment. Appointment availability varies by location. Call 940-566-5551 for an appointment.
TCAP also accepts up to 12 cats per day on each of their eight (8) locations on their designated community cat surgery days. Dallas residents are welcome to bring their Service Request number on those days at any TCAP location to receive free services. Only one Service Request number is required per address.
Visit texasforthem.org for more details. Please contact Texas Coalition for Animal Protection if you have any questions.
What is a Community Cat?
A community cat is a cat that lives outdoors and does not have one specific home or owner, but rather a territory. These cats are frequently social and are being fed by multiple residents in the area who may or may not be aware of each other. Many people refer to these cats as “strays,” “neighborhood cats” or “ferals” but regardless of the label, these are cats that are thriving outdoors.
If these cats are left intact, they will continue to multiply rapidly and are likely to cause problematic behaviors such as marking/spraying, yowling, and fighting. However, removing the cats from their territory actually makes things worse.
The Vacuum Effect
The vacuum effect occurs when a community cat is removed from its territory, leaving its territory undefended and results in multiple cats dividing its territory, resulting in more cats and more problems.
The Humane Solution: Trap-Neuter-Vaccinate-Return (TNVR)
To end cat overpopulation issues, prevent the spread of disease, and stop problematic behaviors, these cats need to be sterilized, vaccinated, and returned to their territory – a process known as Trap-Neuter-Vaccinate-Return (TNVR).
How to Recognize an Altered Cat
While veterinarians spay/neuter outdoor community cats and barn cats, they “notch” their right ear for easy identification from far away. If you see a cat with an ear notch, they’ve already been through a TNVR Program!