DOG OR CAT BREEDER PROGRAM

UPDATE AUGUST 2012. TDLR issued a reminder that licensing begins September 1, 2012. A breeder who meets the following criteria must have a license: possession of 11 or more adult intact female dogs or cats used for breeding; be in the business of breeding dogs or cats for direct or indirect sale; and offers to sell or exchange 20 or more animals in a calendar year.

TDLR held a meeting August 14, 2012. Agenda and video. As part of the meeting agenda it appears TDLR has submitted a request to the Legislature for funding. TDLR has also issued a public request for donations to build the Dog and Cat Breeder Training and Enforcement Account. Donations to this account are to be used to pay for information that results in disciplinary action against a person for acting as a dog or cat breeder in Texas without a license.

DOG OR CAT BREEDER PROGRAM RULES
New Dog or Cat Breeders Occupation Code

UPDATE APRIL 2012. At their meeting held March 27, 2012, TDLR adopted new rules regarding the Dog or Cat Breeders Program. The new rules implement House Bill 1451, 82nd Legislature, Regulation Session (2011) relating to the licensing and regulation of certain dog and cat breeders. The effective date of the adoption is May 1, 2012. The adoption will be published in the April 27, 2012, issue of the Texas Register. The adopted rules and commentary by TDLR may be viewed at TDLR website, Justification for Adopted Licensed Breeders Administrative Rules.

Immediately after the rules were adopted, HSUS State Director Nicole Paquette stated, �We were hopeful that the commission would have taken this opportunity to improve the lives of our animals in this state. Essentially, the rules allow what one would traditionally see as the epitome of a puppy mill.� HSUS, ASPCA, and THLN who drafted and lobbied for the bill now claim the new law did not establish true humane standards. The three organizations say they will continue to explore all potential opportunities to improve on the Commissions� final rule.

UPDATE 3/29/12. The Texas Breeder Regulations have been finalized. We are awaiting publication of the rules. At this time we believe the final decisions include:

- Elimination of third-party inspectors
- Reducing original and renewal license fees; eliminating pre-license inspection fee
- As stated in law, surgical births and adult dog euthanizations must be performed by a veterinarian.
- Standards for kennels will be based on current USDA rules.

The TDLR public hearings on March 1st and March 27th can be viewed at http://www.tdlr.state.tx.us/bre/breCommittee.htm

The recommendations from the Breeders Advisory Committee (BAC) agreed upon at the March 1, 2012 meeting will be compiled in a revised Rules draft, for consideration by the Commission at its March 27 meeting. That interim draft will be published on TDLR�s website, very close to the March 27, 2012 meeting,

Licensed Breeders Law, Meetings, and Information - COMMENTS have been posted to the site