(a) 
Generally.
All pet shops, as defined herein, including pet shops run in conjunction with another holding facility, shall in addition to the other requirements of this chapter, comply with the minimum standards of this section. Failure to meet these standards shall be grounds for the issuance of a citation subjecting the owner to the penalties provided in this chapter. Facilities shall be subject to inspection by a humane officer or as otherwise designated by the city manager upon his request during reasonable hours.
(b) 
Water.
There shall be available hot water at a minimum temperature of 140 degrees Fahrenheit for washing cages and disinfecting and cold water easily accessible to all parts of the shop. Fresh water shall be available to all species at all times. Containers are to be cleaned and disinfected each day. All water containers shall be mounted so the animal cannot turn them over, and be of the type that are removable for cleaning.
(c) 
Room temperature.
Room temperature of the shop shall be maintained at a level that is healthful for every species of animals kept in the shop.
(d) 
Cages and enclosures.
All cages and enclosures are to be of a nonporous material for easy cleaning and disinfecting. Each cage must be of sufficient size that the animal will have room to stand, turn, and lie down in the natural position. Each cage must be cleaned and disinfected each day.
(e) 
Feeding animals.
All animals under three months of age are to be fed at least three times per 24 hours. All from three months to nine months of age are to be fed at least two times per 24 hours. All other animals must be fed at least one time per 24-hour period. Food for each animal shall be served in a clean dish so mounted that the animal cannot readily tip it over and be of the type that are removable for cleaning. Disposable feeding dishes are acceptable for one-time use only.
(f) 
Birds.
Each bird must have sufficient room to sit on a perch. Perches shall be placed horizontal to each other in the same cage. Cages must be cleaned every day, and cages must be disinfected when birds are sold or otherwise transferred. Parrots and other large birds shall have separate cages from smaller birds.
(g) 
Bedding.
There shall be sufficient clean, dry bedding to meet needs of each individual animal.
(h) 
Daily care and maintenance.
All animals must be fed and watered, and all cages cleaned every day including Sundays and holidays.
(i) 
Information to purchaser.
Each purchaser of a dog, cat, puppy or kitten shall be provided with a copy of section 14-512, regarding puppies, dogs, kittens, cats and their certification as unfit for purchase, by the pet shop and with a city animal license application.
(Ordinance 3235, § 1, adopted 4/22/2013)
(a) 
Sale of unfit animals prohibited; certification.
No pet shop, animal dealer, or other person shall sell any animal which is unfit for purchase. The purchaser of a animals from a pet shop, animal dealer, or other person which suffers or dies of a disease or parasitic infection must have these conditions or death certified by a veterinarian within 30 days of the purchase date as evidence that the animal was unfit for purchase. Any animal which suffers from any congenital or hereditary condition must be certified as unfit for purchase by a veterinarian within one year of the date of purchase.
(b) 
Options of owner or purchaser.
In the event that an animal is certified as unfit for repurchase and such certification is presented in writing to the pet shop, animal dealer, or other person, within 72 hours of the veterinary certification, the owner or purchaser may choose one of the following options and the pet shop, animal dealer or other person shall be obligated to fulfill the conditions of the chosen option.
(1) 
The owner or purchaser may return the animal for a full refund of the purchase price plus tax. Additionally, the owner or purchaser shall be entitled, up to a total amount not to exceed the full purchase price of the, to any veterinary fees incurred relating to the disease, defect, or infection; veterinary fees directly related to the veterinarian's examination and certification that the is unfit for purchase pursuant to this section; and for veterinary fees directly animal related to necessary emergency services and treatment undertaken to remedy the disease, defect, or infection.
(2) 
The owner or purchaser may return the animal for an exchange equal to the full purchase price plus tax. Additionally, the owner or purchaser shall be entitled, up to a total amount not to exceed the full purchase price of the animal, to any veterinary fees incurred relating to the disease, defect or infection; veterinary fees directly related to the veterinarian's examination and certification that the animal is unfit for purchase pursuant to this section; and for veterinary fees directly related to necessary emergency services and treatment undertaken to remedy the disease, defect or infection.
(3) 
The owner or purchaser may retain the animal and attempt to cure the disease, defect or infection, or to ameliorate the condition caused by the disease, defect or infection. The pet shop, animal dealer, or other person shall be responsible for the cost of veterinary fees incurred related to the disease, defect or infection for which the animal was certified as unfit, up to the full purchase price of the animal plus tax.
(4) 
The owner or purchaser of animal which dies from the disease, defect, infection or condition for which it is certified as unfit for purchase may receive a full refund of the purchase price of the animal plus tax in addition to any veterinary fees incurred relating to the disease, defect or infection up to the full purchase price of the animal plus tax.
(5) 
The pet shop, animal dealer, or other person may contest a demand for veterinary expenses, refund, or exchange made by a purchaser or owner if done so in writing within two days of the owner or purchaser's presentment of a certificate of unfitness. In the event that the pet shop, animal dealer, or other person wishes to contest a demand for veterinary expenses, refund, or exchange made by the purchaser or owner pursuant to this section, the pet shop, animal dealer or other person shall have the right to require the consumer to produce the animal for examination by a licensed veterinarian designated by the dealer. Upon such examination, if the consumer and the dealer are unable to reach an agreement which constitutes one of the options set forth in subsections (b)(1) through (b)(4) of this section within ten business days following receipt of the animal for such examination, the consumer may initiate an action in a court of competent jurisdiction to recover or obtain such reimbursement of veterinary expenses, refund or exchange.
(Ordinance 3235, § 1, adopted 4/22/2013)
(a) 
Waiver procedure generally.
A purchaser may sign a waiver knowingly relinquishing all of the above rights specified in section 14-512(b). The waiver must include the following language: "These are your rights under City of North Richland Hills Codified Ordinance Sec. 14-513. If you purchase any animal which is certified by a veterinarian as unfit for purchase within 30 days following the date of purchase, or in the case of congenital or hereditary condition, within one year following the date of purchase, or if such animal dies and is so certified, and if you present such certification in writing to the seller within 72 hours, you have the right to return animal to the seller for a full refund or exchange of equal value, or you may keep it and attempt to cure the condition. You may also recover certain qualified veterinary fees up to the purchase price of the animal. If you sign this waiver you will lose these rights."
(b) 
Form of waiver; other warranties and sale conditions.
The waiver must be in bold print and signed by the buyer. If such a waiver is signed by the buyer, the pet shop, dealer, or other person may offer his own warranty, or sell the animal "as is."
(c) 
Maintenance of records.
In addition to the other requirements of this section, the owner of each animal which is placed for sale, adoption or placement, shall maintain a record which documents the origin of the animal. This record shall contain the name, address, and telephone number of the kennel/cattery and its owner, or the individual, which produced the animal. In the case of adoption from a licensed humane or government operated shelter, the record must indicate if the animal was a stray, where it was picked up and by whom; if previously owned, the name and address. This record shall be available to the humane division.
(d) 
Advertisement for sale, adoption or placement of unfit animals.
All advertisements for the sale, adoption or placement of these animals within the city must contain the owner's animal dealer, pet shop, kennel or cattery license number and/or their individual dog/cat or multiple cat household license number.
(Ordinance 3235, § 1, adopted 4/22/2013)