Last week, the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR), the state agency charged with administering the state’s Dog or Cat Breeders Act, announced that it will begin its periodic review of the Act’s current administrative rules.
The Dog or Cat Breeders Act requires anyone that both owns 5 or more intact female animals and is engaged in the business of breeding those dogs for sale to secure a state license and be regulated by the state. The law specifically exempts those that breed primarily for conformation purposes, hunting, herding livestock or other agricultural purposes, and for participation in other AKC events.
TDLR will assess whether the reasons for adopting or readopting the rules continue to exist. It will review each rule to determine (1) whether it is obsolete, (2) whether it reflects current legal and policy considerations, and (3) whether it is in alignment with current TDLR procedures.
No rule changes are anticipated. However, if TDLR determines that rule changes are necessary, they will be formally proposed and open for public comment at a future date.
WHAT YOU CAN DO
Anyone interested in the Dog or Cat Breeders Program is encouraged to review the Act’s current administrative rules and to submit comments to TDLR by December 23, 2024.
Please note that comments should focus on the administrative rules TDLR has already adopted for enforcement of the Dog or Cat Breeders Act. The Act and its requirements cannot be changed by TDLR (those can only be changed by the Texas Legislature or by court order).
Written comments may be submitted electronically on TDLR’s website at https://ga.tdlr.texas.gov:1443/form/gcerules (select Chapter 91 for your comment); by facsimile to (512) 475-3032; or by mail to Monica Nuñez, Legal Assistant, Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation, P.O. Box 12157, Austin, Texas 78711.
FOR MORE INFORMATION, CONTACT:
The Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation
Phone: (512) 463-6599
Toll-Free (in Texas): (800) 803-9202
https://www.tdlr.texas.gov/Help/
The American Kennel Club’s Government Relations Department
Phone: (919) 816-3720
Email: doglaw@akc.org