Dallas City Code Section 7-3.1 restricts retail pet stores from selling commercially bred dogs and cats. Stores may only offer animals sourced from animal shelters or nonprofit rescue partners, supporting a humane sourcing model adopted in 2022.
Dallas City Code Chapter 7, Section 7-3.1 prohibits pet shops from selling, offering for sale, or transferring dogs and cats unless the animals originate from a city or county animal control facility, an SPCA, a humane society, or a registered nonprofit animal rescue organization. Stores must post the source organization for each animal in plain view and maintain records available to Dallas Animal Services on request. Adoption fees are permitted, but commercial breeder sourcing is banned. The ordinance does not restrict sale of fish, reptiles, birds, or small mammals. Existing inventory rules and health certificates under Texas Health and Safety Code Chapter 823 still apply to all retailers.
Selling commercially bred puppies or kittens, misrepresenting source organizations, failing to post source signage, blocking inspections by Dallas Animal Services, or operating a retail pet shop without a city business registration triggers fines and ordinance enforcement.
Dallas, TX
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Dallas, TX
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Dallas, TX
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