Most Common Code Violations for Licensed Breeders
1. Standards of Care - Veterinary Care
16 Tex. Admin. Code Ch. 91.112(d). Breeding cycles. A licensed breeder shall provide breeding females adequate rest between breeding cycles as recommended by a veterinarian based on the breed, age, and health of the individual breeding female and documented by a veterinarian in the medical records related to each animal.
2. Responsibilities of Licensee - Mandatory Contract Provisions
16 Tex. Admin. Code Ch. 91.74. A licensed breeder must include in each contract for the sale or transfer of an animal: (1) the license number; and (2) the following statement: "Dog and cat breeders are regulated by the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation, P.O. Box 12157, Austin, Texas 78711, 1-800-803-9202, 512-463-6599, www.tdlr.texas.gov or a similar statement adopted by commission rule that includes the department's name, mailing address, telephone numbers, and Internet website address.
3. Standards of Care - Sheltered Housing Facilities
16 Tex. Admin. Code Ch. 91.102(a). The sheltered part of sheltered housing facilities for dogs and cats must be sufficiently heated and cooled when necessary to protect the dogs and cats from temperature or humidity extremes and to provide for their health and well-being. The ambient temperature in the sheltered part of the facility must not fall below 50 F (10 C) for dogs and cats not acclimated to lower temperatures, for those breeds that cannot tolerate lower temperatures without stress and discomfort (such as short-haired breeds), and for sick, aged, young, or infirm dogs or cats, except as approved by a veterinarian. Dry bedding, solid resting boards, or other methods of conserving body heat must be provided when temperatures are below 50 F (10 C). The ambient temperature must not fall below 45 F (7.2 C) for more than 2 consecutive hours when dogs or cats are present, and must not rise above 85 F (29.5 C) for more than 2 consecutive hours when dogs or cats are present. The preceding requirements are in addition to, not in place of, all other requirements pertaining to climatic conditions.
4. Standards of Care - Exercise of Dogs
16 Tex. Admin. Code Ch. 91.106(a). A licensee must develop, document, and follow an appropriate plan to provide dogs with the opportunity for daily exercise. In addition, the plan must be approved by a veterinarian and documented by a veterinarian in the medical records related to each dog. The plan must include written standard procedures to be followed in providing the opportunity for exercise.
5. Standards of Care - On-Site Personnel
16 Tex. Admin. Code Ch. 91.110(b). Each employee of a licensed facility whose duties or responsibilities include the handling of or caring for a dog or cat shall have the appropriate training documented by the licensee; to include at the minimum subject matter covering basic animal care and handling, prevention of infectious disease, and kennel sanitization.
6. Standard of Care - Veterinary Care
16 Tex. Admin. Code Ch. 91.112(a). Annual examination. A licensed breeder shall have each animal used for breeding examined by a veterinarian at least once in every twelve-month period. The annual examination required by this section must be conducted in accordance with practices established under the Veterinary Licensing Act and documented by a veterinarian in the medical records related to each animal.
7. Standards of Care - Routine and Preventative Care
16 Tex. Admin. Code Ch. 91.112(c). Failed to have the written health care management protocol contain all required health care records, including all authorized exemptions approved by a veterinarian.
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