Texas Dog Breeders Face New Regulations

Legislation seeks higher standards for dogs and cats used in commercial kennels.

Posted: March 13, 2009, 5 a.m. EST

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A Texas lawmaker seeking higher standards for commercial dog and cat breeders in the state introduced legislation Tuesday which would require such operations to meet specified health and handling requirements.

House Bill 3180, filed by state Rep. Senfronia Thompson (D-Houston), sets minimum standards of care and housing for animals in breeding facilities. The bill will require commercial dog and cat breeding facilities to:

* Obtain a commercial breeding license from the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation, and pay an annual fee for renewal;
* Allow inspections by the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation;
* Pay penalties for failure to meet licensing requirements.

Humane standards of treatment outlined in HB 3180 would require breeding facilities to:

* Provide food at least once every 24 hours with continuous access to water;
* Allow confined animals enough space to easily sit, stand, turn around, and lie down in a normal manner;
* Provide adequate ventilation and adequate lighting for animals kept indoors;
* Provide structurally sound shelter with proper protection from inclement weather conditions for animals housed outdoors; and
* Maintain adequate sanitation conditions within the living spaces.

In addition, HB 3180 exempts hobby breeders who keep 10 or fewer adult intact animals, as well as nonprofit animal welfare groups with a 501(c) (3) tax status.  The legislation also provides for proper handling, treatment, and immunization of animals for disease, and parasite and pest control, including proper care by a veterinarian and written health records for each animal. 

“We just want to ensure that there is a guaranteed minimum standard of care and a level of humanness for all these animals,” Thompson said in a statement.

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terry   bedias, Texas

10/1/2012 10:15:08 AM

you know there are people that are going to complain about this but we do need some way to control the breeders that breed for the sake of a dollar and make livings off these dogs. they don't care about who the dog goes to, they lie about the size and weight of the puppy just to sell it and buyers don't know any better and then the dog gets dumped on the street to starve to death or hit by a car and ends up suffering till it dies. i just recently found two pure breed dogs that were dumped and half dead on the side fo the road and i picked them up and got them to the vet but the one was so far gone already he was already dying when i found him and he got up enough energy to stand for a few seconds at a time and was so happy to see me and would wiggle his tail. unfortunately he die on the second day. his kidneys and liver had already shut down and damaged. his buddy was in better shape and he too was very sweet and so happy to have a clean place to live and food and water. he was doing well till his friend died and then became depressed and refused to eat or drink and he also died. he was so heartbroken on top of being starved to death. i buried them side by side. it jus made me so made that someone could do that to those babies. i cried for a week for what they had been through and then for them to be so happy and loving when i picked them up. so yes we do need some kind of laws. this is a result of people like that and those puppy mills that mass produce dogs and they live in their own piss and shit and never leave their cages. you live your life like that and see how you do.

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lisa   san antonio, TX

3/26/2012 9:42:46 PM

People are crying about dogs being put down...well they cost 100 something dollars and people can't afford them!!!!! Might as well let them just have the dogs! They're WILLING to take care of them but no, let's charge them hundreds on top of future vaccinations. yall are so pathetic

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zeata rowe   lufkin, TX

8/10/2011 12:59:54 AM

This is long past due. I STRONGLY disagree with the people who say "we already have too many regulations" Without a law like this, existing puppy mills continue, & if you go to law enforcement, they say "There's nothing we can do". Shame on the public who perpetuates this whole breeding industry by buying from breeders. My small community of 32,000 euthanizes between 600-700 animals per month...unwanted, no one to adopt. THis list INCLUDES many purebred dogs. The public has no problem paying hundreds or thousands to a breeder, then resents the fees to have a vet see the animal, and complete it's vaccinations, & will NOT pay for a spay/neuter surgery.

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jack russell   conroe, TX

6/23/2011 6:28:22 PM

This law is for the honest people. Dishonest people will not apply for a license. This law will cause more dogs to be dumped on the side of the road if they have too many. The policing of this law will be absorbed by the people of the state. we are all ready in an economic downfall. These non essential laws will cause a state all ready facing tough economics to be worst lets use the money to police this law to educate our children and pay the teachers.

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