Interacting with Animal Control
If you find yourself interacting with animal control officers or local law enforcement, check out our guide Know Your Rights: How to Talk to Local Authorities. It will tell you everything you need to know.
Note that animal control cannot force you to trap cats yourself, relinquish cats to the shelter, or allow them to set traps on your own property unless a cat is sick or dangerous.
Be sure to become familiar with your local laws related to cats, too. Check out our resource on How to Find Laws that Relate to Cats so you can know what the laws are where you live.
If you have been told you are breaking the law, if you are cited for breaking a law, or if you have witnessed inappropriate actions on the part of animal control, consider getting a lawyer. Our resource How to Handle a Citation: A Guide to Getting Legal Help will walk you through the process.