San Antonio Animal Care Services searches East Side area for cat seen with jar stuck on head

Search focused near East Houston Street after Wednesday sighting

City animal officers are trying to locate a cat seen with a glass jar stuck over its head in an area east of downtown San Antonio, after a resident reported the animal Wednesday morning. The sighting was in the 2700 block of East Houston Street, near the intersection with North Grimes Street and close to the Frost Bank Center.

The resident attempted to catch the cat but it fled. Since that initial report, Animal Care Services (ACS) officers have continued working in the neighborhood and have placed a humane trap intended to capture the animal without causing additional injury or stress.

Why the situation is urgent

A container lodged over an animal’s head can interfere with breathing, eating and drinking, and may cause panic-driven behavior that increases the risk of traffic injuries or entanglement. The cat’s ability to survive depends heavily on how quickly it can be safely contained and assessed by veterinary staff.

ACS has indicated that, once captured, the cat will be evaluated by the city’s veterinary team to determine injuries and the next steps for treatment and care.

How residents can help without escalating risk

City officials are urging residents who may spot the cat to avoid approaching, chasing, or attempting to grab it. A frightened animal with restricted vision can bolt, hide under structures, or run into the street, complicating capture and increasing the likelihood of injury.

Residents are being asked to focus on containment rather than contact: confining the cat to an enclosed space if possible, then calling for an officer response.

People who are able to do so safely are being asked to confine the cat inside a garage or other enclosed area without handling it, then contact ACS immediately so officers can respond with appropriate equipment.

• Do not try to remove the jar yourself.

• Do not chase the cat; keep visual contact from a distance if possible.

• If the cat can be guided into a closed space, shut doors and keep people and pets away.

• Report the exact location promptly to increase the chance of a quick, humane capture.

Contact information

Residents with information about the cat’s location can contact San Antonio Animal Care Services at 210-207-4738 or by email at [email protected].

The search remained active as of Thursday, February 26, 2026, with officers coordinating locally and monitoring the area where the cat was last reported.