Dallas Moves to Recognize 'Community Cats' in City Code

City Council to vote on adding new rules for outdoor, non-feral cats in late May

Published on Feb. 20, 2026

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Dallas City Council is considering adding 'community cats' to the city's animal code, which would formally recognize and provide guidelines for the management of outdoor, non-feral cats in neighborhoods like the Bishop Arts District. The proposed changes aim to address confusion over the handling of these cats and provide a legal framework for programs like trap-neuter-return (TNR) that help control the cat population.

Why it matters

The lack of clear guidelines in Dallas' current animal code has led to issues, including cases of property owners trapping and relocating community cats. Formalizing the status of these cats and outlining proper management practices could help improve quality of life for both the cats and local residents.

The details

Dallas' current animal code defines feral cats as those that avoid human contact, but does not address the status of 'community cats' - outdoor, non-feral cats that live in managed colonies. Advocates like Meri Dahlke, owner of the Ten Bells Tavern, have been working to trap, neuter and return these cats for years, but without official city recognition. The proposed ordinance revisions would clarify the rules around community cats and provide a legal framework for TNR programs.

  • Dallas City Council is expected to vote on the updated ordinance language in late May 2026.

The players

Meri Dahlke

Owner of the Ten Bells Tavern in the Bishop Arts District, who has helped manage the community cat population through trap-neuter-return (TNR) programs for 15 years.

Chad West

A North Texas Dallas City Council member who said the lack of clarity in the current animal code has led to confusion, including cases of property owners trapping and relocating community cats.

Dallas Animal Services

The city department that handles animal-related issues and has worked with advocates to develop the proposed ordinance revisions.

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What they’re saying

“The city the size of Dallas should have had something in place already.”

— Meri Dahlke, Owner, Ten Bells Tavern

“The cleanup that we're attempting to do here is to provide a legal system and education for the community on what to do with community cats. There's a lot of confusion, and what this ordinance revision is going to do is clear up confusion.”

— Chad West, Dallas City Council member

“I think it's just a good education process, and to me, honestly, it's just the right thing to do. It's creatures in need.”

— Meri Dahlke, Owner, Ten Bells Tavern

What’s next

The Dallas City Council is expected to vote on the updated ordinance language in late May 2026.

The takeaway

By formally recognizing 'community cats' and providing guidelines for their management, Dallas can help address confusion, improve quality of life for both cats and residents, and support the efforts of advocates who have been working to humanely control the outdoor cat population through programs like trap-neuter-return.