(A) 
Any person owning a dog or cat that is four months old or older within City limits must have such dog or cat vaccinated for rabies.
(B) 
Any person owning a dog or cat that is four months old or older within city limits must register such dog or cat with the city as herein provided.
(C) 
Written application for registration shall be made by mail or in person to the DCO, which shall include name, phone number, and street address of applicant, description of the animal, the appropriate fee, and valid rabies vaccination certificate issued by a licensed veterinarian or anti-rabies clinic, and date of rabies vaccination. The rabies vaccination certificate shall be considered valid if the vaccine used and the vaccination process complies with the Texas Health and Safety Code, chapter 826, as amended.
(D) 
A registration fee shall be paid annually for each dog and cat being kept within the City. Each registration is valid for one year from the date of issuance. Exception: If proof is provided that the animal to be registered received a three-year rabies vaccination, the registration fee shall be paid and the registration is valid for three years from the date of issuance.
(E) 
Application for a registration shall be made within 30 days after obtaining a dog or cat over four months of age, after locating a dog or cat over four months of age within the City, or from the time a dog or cat reaches four months of age, whichever comes earlier. This requirement does not apply to a nonresident keeping a dog or cat within the City for a period of less than 60 days.
(F) 
Upon acceptance of the registration application and fee, the DCO shall issue a durable tag, stamped with an identifying number and the year of issuance, except as provided in subchapter VI of this chapter. Tags shall be designed so that they may be conveniently fastened or riveted to the animal's collar or harness.
(G) 
Dogs and cats must wear city registration tag at all times when off the premises of the owner.
(H) 
The DCO shall maintain a record of the identifying number of all tags issued for a period of three years from the date of issuance.
(Ordinance 4287 adopted 11/18/2025)
(A) 
Each duly licensed veterinarian, after vaccinating any animal within the City, shall sign a certificate in duplicate containing the following information:
(1) 
The name and address of the owner of the vaccinated animal;
(2) 
The type of vaccine used, the approved duration of the vaccine used, and the date of the vaccination;
(3) 
The year and identification number of the rabies vaccination tag;
(4) 
The breed, age, color, and sex of the vaccinated animal; and
(5) 
Such other information as the DCO may require.
(B) 
The veterinarian shall immediately present one copy of the certificate to the owner of the vaccinated animal. The veterinarian, for future reference, shall retain the duplicate copy of the certificate.
(Ordinance 4287 adopted 11/18/2025)
(A) 
Every animal owner shall be required to provide said animal with a collar for the tag to be constantly worn when off the premises of the owner.
(B) 
In case an animal tag is lost or destroyed, upon presentation of the receipt showing the payment of the registration fee for the calendar year and the payment of a duplicate tag fee, a replacement tag will be issued.
(C) 
A tag shall not be transferable from one animal to another and no refund shall be made on any animal registration fee for any reason.
(Ordinance 4287 adopted 11/18/2025)
The provision of this chapter requiring the registration of dogs and cats shall not apply to the following:
(A) 
Dogs or cats brought in the City exclusively for the purpose of entering the same in any show or exhibition, and which are actually entered in and kept at such show or exhibition.
(B) 
Dogs duly and properly trained to aid or assist the disabled when such dogs are actually being used for this purpose. Dogs or cats kept in qualified institutions, approved by the DCO, for teaching or research purposes.
(C) 
Government-assigned police dogs.
(Ordinance 4287 adopted 11/18/2025)
The following acts are prohibited and hereby declared unlawful:
(A) 
The counterfeiting of dog or cat registration or tags;
(B) 
The removal of dog or cat registration or tags from any dog or cat by any person other than the owner; and
(C) 
The willful and malicious destruction of dog or cat registration tags by any person other than the owner.
(Ordinance 4287 adopted 11/18/2025)
(A) 
Any false statement in a rabies certificate or application for an animal registration, issued for such animal, shall be considered invalid and shall subject such animal to being impounded in accordance with the rules and regulations set out in this chapter.
(B) 
It shall be unlawful to make a false statement in any application, affidavit or other document required by this chapter.
(Ordinance 4287 adopted 11/18/2025)
No person keeping or harboring an animal for which registration is required, shall fail to exhibit a registration receipt, certificate of vaccination, or exemption status as required by this chapter upon demand by the DCO or Animal Services Officer.
(Ordinance 4287 adopted 11/18/2025)