Posted: March 16, 2009, 3 a.m. EDT
Legislation introduced in Texas outlines new, higher standards that would be required of commercial cat breeders. |
A Texas lawmaker seeking higher standards for commercial cat and dog
breeders in the state introduced legislation last week which would require such operations to meet specified health and handling requirements.
House Bill 3180, filed by state Rep. Senfronia Thompson (D-Houston), sets minimum standards of care and housing for animals in breeding facilities. The bill will require commercial dog and cat breeding facilities to:
- Obtain a commercial breeding license from the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation and pay an annual fee for renewal
- Allow inspections by the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation
- Be subject to penalties for failure to meet licensing requirements.
Humane standards of treatment outlined in H.B. 3180 would require breeding facilities to:
- Provide food at least once every 24 hours with continuous access to water
- Allow confined animals enough space to easily sit, stand, turn around and lie down in a normal manner
- Provide adequate ventilation and adequate lighting for animals kept indoors
- Provide structurally sound shelter with proper protection from inclement weather conditions for animals housed outdoors
- Maintain adequate sanitation conditions within the living spaces
In addition, H.B. 3180 exempts hobby breeders who keep 10 or fewer adult intact animals, as well as nonprofit animal welfare groups.
“We just want to ensure that there is a guaranteed minimum standard of care and a level of humanness for all these animals,” Thompson said in a statement.