Sec. 823.003. STANDARDS FOR ANIMAL SHELTERS; CRIMINAL PENALTY. (a) Each animal shelter operated in this state shall comply with the standards for:

(1) housing and sanitation as provided in Chapter 826 for quarantine and impoundment facilities; and

(2) animal control officer training adopted under Chapter 829.

(b) An animal shelter shall separate animals in its custody at all times by species, by sex (if known), and if the animals are not related to one another, by size.

(c) An animal shelter may not confine healthy animals with sick, injured, or diseased animals.

(d) Each person who operates an animal shelter shall employ a veterinarian at least once a year to inspect the shelter to determine whether it complies with the requirements of this chapter and Chapter 829. The veterinarian shall file copies of the veterinarian's report with the person operating the shelter and with the department on forms prescribed by the department.

(e) The executive commissioner of the Health and Human Services Commission may require each person operating an animal shelter to keep records of the date and disposition of animals in its custody, to maintain the records on the business premises of the animal shelter, and to make the records available for inspection at reasonable times.

(f) A person commits an offense if the person substantially violates this section. An offense under this subsection is a Class C misdemeanor.

Acts 1989, 71st Leg., ch. 678, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1989.

Amended by:

Acts 2007, 80th Leg., R.S., Ch. 1331 (S.B. 1562), Sec. 2, eff. September 1, 2007.

Acts 2015, 84th Leg., R.S., Ch. 1 (S.B. 219), Sec. 3.1604, eff. April 2, 2015.