Fort Worth City Code Chapter 6 regulates pet shops through licensing, sourcing disclosure, and humane handling standards. Unlike Dallas, Fort Worth has not adopted a strict shelter-only sourcing ban for retail dogs and cats as of 2026.
Fort Worth City Code Chapter 6 requires retail pet shops to obtain a city pet dealer permit, maintain Texas Health and Safety Code Chapter 823 health certificates, and provide written disclosures of breeder source and veterinary records to buyers. Animals must have current vaccinations and be at least eight weeks old at sale. Animal Care and Control inspects facilities for sanitation, ventilation, cage size, and humane handling. Sick or injured animals must receive prompt veterinary care. Fort Worth has not adopted a Dallas-style ordinance restricting pet stores to shelter or rescue sourcing only, but advocacy efforts continue. Repeat violations or cruelty findings can result in permit suspension or revocation.
Operating without a Fort Worth pet dealer permit, selling animals younger than eight weeks, omitting source or health disclosures, blocking inspections, maintaining unsanitary facilities, or denying veterinary care to sick animals triggers citations, permit suspension, and possible cruelty charges.
Fort Worth, TX
Fort Worth City Code Chapter 6 caps household dogs and cats at five total adult animals per residence without a multiple animal permit. Larger households nee...
Fort Worth, TX
Fort Worth Sec. 6-62 prohibits dangerous animals and TX HSC §822.102 Dangerous Wild Animals (lions, tigers, bears, primates, etc.). Exemptions for zoos, circ...
See how Fort Worth's pet store rules rules stack up against other locations.
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