16 Tex. Admin. Code § 91.102 - Standards of Care-Sheltered Housing Facilities

(a) Heating, cooling, and temperature. The sheltered part of sheltered housing facilities for dogs and cats must be sufficiently heated and cooled when necessary to protect the dogs and cats from temperature or humidity extremes and to provide for their health and well-being. The ambient temperature in the sheltered part of the facility must not fall below 50° F (10° C) for dogs and cats not acclimated to lower temperatures, for those breeds that cannot tolerate lower temperatures without stress and discomfort (such as short-haired breeds), and for sick, aged, young, or infirm dogs or cats, except as approved by a veterinarian. Dry bedding, solid resting boards, or other methods of conserving body heat must be provided when temperatures are below 50° F (10° C). The ambient temperature must not fall below 45° F (7.2° C) for more than 2 consecutive hours when dogs or cats are present, and must not rise above 85° F (29.5° C) for more than 2 consecutive hours when dogs or cats are present. The preceding requirements are in addition to, not in place of, all other requirements pertaining to climatic conditions.

(b) Ventilation. The enclosed or sheltered part of sheltered housing facilities for dogs and cats must be sufficiently ventilated when dogs or cats are present to provide for their health and well-being, and to minimize odors, drafts, ammonia levels, and moisture condensation. Ventilation must be provided by windows, doors, vents, fans, or air conditioning. Auxiliary ventilation, such as fans, blowers, or air-conditioning, must be provided when the ambient temperature is 85° F (29.5° C) or higher.

(c) Lighting. Sheltered housing facilities for dogs and cats must be lighted well enough to permit routine inspection and cleaning of the facility, and observation of the dogs and cats. Animal areas must be provided a regular diurnal lighting cycle of either natural or artificial light. Lighting must be uniformly diffused throughout animal facilities and provide sufficient illumination to aid in maintaining good housekeeping practices, adequate cleaning, adequate inspection of animals, and for the well-being of the animals. Primary enclosures must be placed so as to protect the dogs and cats from excessive light.

(d) Shelter from the elements. Dogs and cats must be provided with adequate shelter from the elements at all times to protect their health and well-being. The shelter structures must be large enough to allow each animal to sit, stand, and lie in a normal manner without its body being in contact with at least one side of the shelter walls and to turn about freely.

(e) Surfaces.

(1) The following areas in sheltered housing facilities must be impervious to moisture:

(A) indoor floor areas in contact with the animals, which may consist of flooring that is wire or wire mesh or slatted material;

(B) outdoor floor areas in contact with the animals, when the floor areas are not exposed to the direct sun, or are made of a hard material such as wire, wood, metal, or concrete; and

(C) all walls, boxes, houses, dens, and other surfaces in contact with the animals.

(2) Outside floor areas in contact with the animals and exposed to the direct sun may consist of compacted earth, absorbent bedding, sand, concrete, gravel, or grass.

Notes

16 Tex. Admin. Code § 91.102

The provisions of this §91.102 adopted to be effective May 1, 2012, 37 TexReg 3075; Amended by Texas Register, Volume 48, Number 52, December 29, 2023, TexReg 8361, eff. 1/1/2024