In Texas, call the local animal-control office or municipal shelter for a stray dog or cat; a licensed wildlife rehabilitator for injured or orphaned wildlife; and the local rabies control authority after a potentially rabies-transmitting bite or scratch. The right contact depends on where the animal is and what has happened. Do not approach or handle an unfamiliar, sick, or injured animal.
Who should you call? A quick guide
| Situation | Who to contact | What to know |
|---|---|---|
| Lost or stray dog or cat | Animal control or the municipal shelter serving the place where you found it | Contact details and after-hours arrangements vary by city and county. |
| Sick, injured, or unusually behaving animal | Local animal control; report suspected rabies to the local rabies control authority | Do not touch or try to capture the animal. |
| Injured or apparently orphaned wild animal | A licensed wildlife rehabilitator in the county | If you cannot find a county rehabilitator, call Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) at (512) 389-4505. |
| Nuisance wildlife | Texas Wildlife Services Program: (210) 472-5451 | TPWD says the program handles public requests and can connect callers with a local representative. |
| Injured deer, including one hit by a vehicle | Local game-warden dispatcher | Do not take or tag the deer. If it is certainly dead, TPWD says it may be moved off the roadway and left there; TxDOT removes dead animals. |
| Animal bite or potentially rabies-transmitting scratch | Wash the wound, seek medical care, and report the incident to the local rabies control authority | Do not wait to report while trying to identify the animal. |
| Immediate danger to a person | Call 911 | Use emergency services for an immediate threat to public safety. |
For local animal-control or shelter contact details, search the official website for the city or county where the animal is located. A statewide number cannot reliably replace those local services.
If you find a stray dog or cat
Call the animal-control office or municipal shelter serving the location where you found the animal. Texas law addresses impoundment of stray dogs and cats, but the relevant shelter, contact details, and procedures depend on the local jurisdiction. Do not assume the animal should be taken to a shelter in your own town if you found it elsewhere.
If the animal is sick, injured, behaving abnormally, or may be rabid, keep your distance and contact local animal control. For a suspected rabies case, report it to the local rabies control authority. Texas Health and Safety Code §826.041 requires a person who knows of a qualifying bite or scratch, or suspects an animal is rabid, to report it to the local rabies control authority of a county or municipality connected to the person, animal, or exposure. See the Texas Health and Safety Code, Chapter 826.
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- Humane Live Animal Trap: Our raccoon trap use oblong support frame to secure the cage shape and use fixing clips to fix rear door,smoothed internal edges protect and prevent trapped animal being injured.All you need is some bait to catch and then release them back to the wild.
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If you find injured or orphaned wildlife
Contact a licensed wildlife rehabilitator in the county where you found the animal. TPWD identifies a county rehabilitator as the best contact for both the animal and the finder. If you cannot find one, call TPWD at (512) 389-4505. Do not handle, feed, or transport the animal while arranging help, especially if it is sick, injured, or acting unusually. The Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS) advises people not to touch wildlife or sick and injured animals; see its rabies guidance.
If you find a baby bird
Do not assume a young bird on the ground is abandoned or try to raise it yourself. Keep people and pets away, avoid touching it, and contact a licensed wildlife rehabilitator in your county for advice. If you cannot locate a rehabilitator, use TPWD’s fallback number above.
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If wildlife is causing a nuisance
For a nuisance-wildlife request, call the Texas Wildlife Services Program at (210) 472-5451. TPWD says the program handles public requests and can connect callers with a local representative. This is a different route from wildlife rehabilitation: an injured or apparently orphaned animal should be referred to a licensed rehabilitator, while an immediate threat to a person belongs with emergency services.
If you find an injured deer
Contact the local game-warden dispatcher, including when a deer has been hit on a highway. TPWD says a deer that is certainly dead may be moved off the roadway and left there, and that TxDOT removes dead animals. Do not take or tag the deer. TPWD lists its Austin Law Enforcement Communications dispatch center at (512) 389-4848 as a 24-hour contact. Dispatch is not a substitute for local animal control or emergency services; TPWD also warns that law-enforcement offices can close without notice, so check before visiting an office. See TPWD’s wildlife information and law-enforcement office information.
Rank #3
- Wide Application: As urban and wilderness ecosystems intertwine, animals may disturb your life. Our cat trap is a versatile solution for various animals, including cats, raccoons, rabbits, groundhogs, armadillos, and opossums. It effectively addresses issues such as farmland invasion, release, and harassment.
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If an animal bites or scratches someone
- Wash the wound promptly. Use soap and water.
- Get medical advice as soon as possible. DSHS advises seeking medical care after a possible rabies exposure.
- Report the incident. Contact the local rabies control authority for the county or municipality connected to the person, animal, or exposure. Texas law requires reporting of qualifying bites or scratches and suspected rabid animals; the authority is local, not a wildlife rehabilitator or statewide dispatch line.
DSHS’s 10-day observation guidance applies to dogs, cats, and domestic ferrets. It should not be applied to wildlife or other animal species. Follow medical and local public-health advice rather than attempting to manage an exposure yourself. See DSHS rabies guidance and Texas Health and Safety Code, Chapter 826.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.When to call 911—and what information to have ready
Call 911 if a person faces an immediate threat to safety. For non-emergency animal concerns, contact the appropriate local or specialist service above. When you call, be ready to give the animal’s location, a description of its condition and behavior, whether anyone was bitten or scratched, and a safe callback number. Do not get closer to collect details that would put you at risk.
Rank #4
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- 🐭[EASY TO SET UP AND USE] - Our animal trap uses mesh openings that are smaller than competing traps of comparable size to prevent escapes and stolen bait. Easy to use, bait, set & release. Once the pedal is touched slightly, the trap will be triggered and the door will shut up immediately. No chemicals or glues, this cage can be used indoors or outdoors.
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Local services and office hours differ. A City of Gonzales animal-control page, for example, directs immediate public-safety threats to 911, illustrating why local instructions should be checked for the place where the animal is found. See City of Gonzales animal-control information.
Quick Recap
Best Value
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- EASY TO USE:Pick up the top buckle, lift the door, connect the hook end of the trigger lever to the buckle, and place some bait near the trigger point. The mechanism is very easy to trigger. Once triggered, the door closes and locks, making it impossible for the animals in the cage to escape. Lay out the food which the little animals love and wait for them to come to roost
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