Chapter 6.16
REGISTRATION
Sections:
6.16.010 Registration – Dogs or cats.
6.16.020 Registration – Kennel, cattery.
6.16.030 Registration – Updating information.
6.16.040 Kennel, cattery requirements.
6.16.050 Registration tags and tattoos or microchip identification for dogs, cats.
6.16.060 Registration certificates for kennels, catteries.
6.16.080 Unexpired dog or cat and kennel, cattery licenses.
6.16.100 Kennel, cattery inspections.
6.16.110 Written administrative orders.
6.16.120 Registration, tagging and tattooing implementation.
6.16.130 Distribution of animal control regulations.
6.16.140 Reciprocal agreements.
6.16.010 Registration – Dogs or cats.
A. Registration Required. Within the City, no person shall own any dog or cat over the age of six months without registering each dog or cat.
B. Registration. Registration of a dog or cat shall include the name and address of the owner and the name, breed, color, age and sex of the dog or cat, whether the dog or cat is spayed or neutered, the expiration date of its rabies vaccination, rabies certificate number, and the location and description of any identification on the dog or cat.
C. Immunization. The City shall not register a dog or cat unless the dog or cat has been vaccinated with a state of Alaska approved rabies vaccine by a licensed veterinarian, or by a state of Alaska lay rabies vaccinator, and the period of immunization has not expired. Proof of immunization shall be a completed rabies vaccination certificate in the form required by the state of Alaska.
1. If ownership of an animal is transferred and the animal has a current rabies immunization, proof of transfer of ownership or proof of the animal’s identification must be provided when registering the animal.
D. Expiration of Dog or Cat Registration. Dog or cat registrations expire as follows:
1. For dogs or cats not tattooed or microchipped in compliance with this chapter, the registration expiration date is three years from the date of registration.
2. There is no registration expiration date for dogs or cats tattooed or microchipped in compliance with this chapter.
E. Application to Canid Hybrids. The rabies vaccination requirement for registration does not apply to canid hybrids unless and until the state approves a rabies vaccine for the particular species of canid hybrids.
F. Violation. Violation of subsection (A) of this section is an infraction. (Ord. 03-08 § 4, 2003; Ord. 04-06 § 4, 2004; Ord. 08-02 § 4, 2008)
6.16.020 Registration – Kennel, cattery.
A. Registration Required. In addition to the registration requirements of HMC 6.16.010, no person shall own or operate a kennel or own five or more dogs or cats over the age of six months without registering as a kennel operator for each location of a kennel.
B. Registration. Registration as a kennel operator shall state the name and address of the owner, the name and address of the operator, the kennel or cattery name, the physical location of the kennel, and a complete list of the dogs or cats by City registration and rabies certificate numbers.
C. Reregistration. If there are any changes in ownership or location of the kennel, the kennel shall be reregistered.
D. Expiration of Kennel, Cattery Registrations. Registration shall be valid for a period of three years.
E. Violation. Violation of subsection (A) or (C) of this section is an infraction. (Ord. 03-08 § 4, 2003; Ord. 04-06 § 4, 2004)
6.16.030 Registration – Updating information.
It is the responsibility of every dog or cat owner and kennel or cattery operator to update and provide the City with current registration information regarding the items set forth in HMC 6.16.010(B) and 6.16.020(B). Violation of this provision is an infraction. (Ord. 03-08 § 4, 2003; Ord. 04-06 § 4, 2004)
6.16.040 Kennel, cattery requirements.
A. No kennel, cattery shall be maintained or operated in a manner which is an annoyance in accordance with Chapter 17.41 MSBC, Land Use Ordinance of the City of Houston. Violation of this provision is an infraction.
B. All kennel or cattery facilities shall meet the following requirements:
1. Shelter which provides adequate air and ventilation and which shall prevent the dogs or cats from being exposed to inclement or adverse weather conditions, overheating from sunlight, unsanitary conditions or dirty, wet and uncomfortable conditions which may endanger the health or welfare of the dog or cat;
2. The dogs or cats shall be physically restrained or confined within the premises of the kennel or cattery;
3. The premises shall be free from bacteria, parasites, waste, filth, or other elements in amounts which would endanger the health or welfare of the dogs or cats; and
4. Sufficient amounts of wholesome and nutritious food and fresh water shall be provided to keep the dogs or cats in healthy physical condition.
C. Violation of subsection (B) of this section is an infraction. (Ord. 03-08 § 4, 2003; Ord. 04-06 § 4, 2004; Ord. 05-11 § 3, 2005)
6.16.050 Registration tags and tattoos or microchip identification for dogs, cats.
A. Registration Tags. Each registered dog or cat shall be issued a registration tag with an identification number and telephone number of the Animal Control Office.
B. Tag Replacement. The registration tag shall be securely fastened to the dog’s or cat’s choke chain, collar or harness, which shall be worn at all times when the dog or cat is off the owner’s property, except when a dog is in competition, training, in use as a police dog by law enforcement personnel, or while performing recognized sporting activities.
C. Registration Tattoos or Microchip Identification. The dog or cat owner may have the dog or cat tattooed or have a microchip identification approved and inserted by the City with the City identification number. Such tattoo will be in the right ear of the dog or cat. The microchip identification shall be inserted in a location specified by the Chief Animal Control Officer.
D. Performance of Registration Tattoos. A tattoo or microchip implant may be performed in a place other than the animal control shelter (including shelters authorized by contract with the City) by someone other than an Animal Control Officer, at the owner’s expense, if the owner notifies the City (or an agency authorized by contract with the City) of the identification number and the location of the tattoo or microchip.
E. Application. If the dog or cat is tattooed, or has a microchip identification inserted, as set forth in subsection (C) or (D) of this section, the provisions of subsection (B) of this section do not apply to that dog. (Ord. 03-08 § 4, 2003; Ord. 04-06 § 4, 2004)
6.16.060 Registration certificates for kennels, catteries.
Each registered kennel, cattery shall be issued a registration certificate with a City identification number. (Ord. 03-08 § 4, 2003; Ord. 04-06 § 4, 2004)
6.16.070 Fees.
A. Registration fees must be paid at time of registering a dog or cat, and shall be established by the City in the fee schedule.
B. A registration fee for each dog and cat shall be paid when kennel or cattery operators register individual dogs or cats other than at the time of registering a kennel or cattery. Any kennel or cattery doing business within the City of Houston will be required to provide a City of Houston business license as stated in HMC 5.04.010, and sales tax as stated in Chapter 4.20 HMC. (Ord. 02-03, 2002; Ord. 02-18, 2002; Ord. 03-08 § 4, 2003; Ord. 04-06 § 4, 2004; Ord. 08-02 § 4, 2008; Ord. 18-02 § 5, 2018)
6.16.080 Unexpired dog or cat and kennel, cattery licenses.
Dog, cat and kennel, cattery licenses issued under prior City law shall be valid in lieu of registration until the license has expired, at which time registration requirements shall become effective for those dogs, cats and kennels, catteries. (Ord. 03-08 § 4, 2003; Ord. 04-06 § 4, 2004)
6.16.090 Exemptions.
A. The registration requirements for dogs and cats under this chapter do not apply to any dog or cat kept within the City for less than 30 calendar days. All such dogs and cats are subject to all other provisions of this title. This subsection does not allow a 30-day grace period for compliance with registration requirements for dog or cat owners within the City. This subsection is an exemption only for dogs or cats kept temporarily within the boundaries of the City.
B. The Humane Society shelters, Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animal shelters, and hospitals and clinics operated by licensed veterinarians for the care and treatment of animals are exempted from the dog, cat and kennel, cattery registration requirements set forth in HMC 6.16.010 and 6.16.020. However, the shelters, hospitals and clinics are subject to all other requirements of this title. (Ord. 03-08 § 4, 2003; Ord. 04-06 § 4, 2004)
6.16.100 Kennel, cattery inspections.
A. The Chief Animal Control Officer may inspect a kennel/cattery that has applied for a registration certificate under HMC 6.16.020, or the agency authorized by contract with the City may set forth a policies, regulations and procedures manual to ensure compliance with HMC 6.16.040, prior to the issuance of a kennel/cattery license. Any inspection performed under this section shall require that the owner be given reasonable notice prior to the inspection time and date.
B. Upon receiving written complaint that the kennel, cattery does not meet any or all of the requirements of HMC 6.16.040, the Chief Animal Control Officer may, at the officer’s discretion, inspect any kennel, cattery. (Ord. 03-08 § 4, 2003; Ord. 04-06 § 4, 2004)
6.16.110 Written administrative orders.
A. If, upon the inspection of a kennel, cattery, the kennel, cattery does not meet the requirements of HMC 6.16.040, the Chief Animal Control Officer may issue a written administrative order to the kennel, cattery owner setting forth the conditions the kennel, cattery owner shall meet in order to be in conformance with HMC 6.16.040.
B. The kennel, cattery owner shall be granted a reasonable length of time of no more than 30 calendar days within which to remedy any deficiencies found.
C. If, upon a second inspection after the time granted in the written administrative order, the kennel, cattery is still in violation, the Chief Animal Control Officer may revoke any registration certificate.
D. Each day a kennel, cattery owner operates the kennel without a registration certificate constitutes a separate violation for operating a kennel, cattery without registration.
E. Violation of the written administrative order under this provision is an infraction. (Ord. 03-08 § 4, 2003)
6.16.120 Registration, tagging and tattooing implementation.
The Chief Animal Control Officer, at the Officer’s discretion, may include in an Animal Control Policies, Regulations and Procedures Manual policies, regulations and procedures to carry out the requirements of this chapter. (Ord. 03-08 § 4, 2003)
6.16.130 Distribution of animal control regulations.
Every owner registering a dog, cat or a kennel, cattery shall be furnished a copy of HMC Title 6, Animals, and acknowledge in writing the receipt thereof. (Ord. 03-08 § 4, 2003)
6.16.140 Reciprocal agreements.
The City is authorized to enter reciprocal agreements regarding animal registrations with a municipality. Under reciprocal registration agreements, a registration issued by either the borough or a city will be treated as valid by the nonissuing jurisdiction as long as the registration would be valid in the issuing jurisdiction. (Ord. 03-08 § 4, 2003)