Cruelty and Neglect

Our pets and other animals rely on us to take care or them and provide them with needed veterinary services, food water and shelter. However, this kind of care is not always offered.

Generally, animal cruelty can be divided into two categories: neglect and intentional cruelty.

Neglect is the failure to provide an animal with the most basic of requirements of food, water, shelter and veterinary care, and is often the result of ignorance on the part of the pet owner. Intentional cruelty occurs when an individual purposely inflicts physical harm or injury on an animal.

Animal owners and caretakers, under local and state law, must provide nutritious and wholesome food and water; dry shelter with adequate ventilation and protection from direct sunlight; and proper veterinary care from a licensed professional as needed.

Causing an animal to fight another, intentionally harming or abandoning an animal is illegal.

Spot Animal Cruelty

You may be a witness to Cruelty if you see an animal that:

• Is repeatedly left alone without food and water
• Kept outside without shelter
• Abandoned
• Has wounds on its body
• Has severe hair loss
• Is extremely thin
• Is physically abused
• Is provoked into fighting another animal

If you witness animal neglect or Cruelty, report it to Fort Worth Animal Care and Control. Animal fighting should be immediately reported to the Fort Worth Police Department.

Animal Updates

Resources

• Position Paper: Increasing Live Outcomes at the Fort Worth Animal Shelter 
• The daily challenge to save all shelter pets 

Contact

Animal Care & Control Administration
4900 Martin St. | 817-392-PAWS (7297)

Adoption Centers

Animal Care & Control Center

4900 Martin St.
Fort Worth, TX 76119
817-392-PAWS (7297)

Hours:

• Sunday & Monday: 1–4 p.m. (Owner Reclaim Services Only)
• Tuesday-Friday: 9 a.m.–6 p.m. (Adoptions open at Noon)
• Saturday: 8 a.m.–5 p.m. (Adoptions open at Noon)

PetSmart Charities Adoption Centers

4800 SW Loop 820
Fort Worth, TX 76109
817-731-4353 ext. 7

2901 Texas Sage Trail
Fort Worth, TX 76177

817-392-7117
817-741-7923

Hours:

• Monday-Saturday, 9 a.m.–8:30 p.m.
• Sunday, 9 a.m.–5:30 p.m.