San Marcos, TX Animal Ordinances: Pet Store Rules (2026)
Key Facts
- Governing section
- City Code Sec. 6.065
- Dog/cat source
- Shelter, animal control, or licensed welfare org only
- License required
- Yes, from animal services department
- Inspections
- Quarterly for dog/cat sellers
- Adoption fee
- Kept by shelter/org, not the shop
Summary
San Marcos pet shops cannot sell or give away cats or dogs unless the animal came from a shelter, animal control agency, or licensed welfare organization.
A pet shop shall not sell, lease, offer for sale, trade, give away or otherwise transfer a cat or dog, unless the cat or dog was obtained from a city or county animal shelter, an animal control agency, or an animal welfare organization licensed by the department.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 41).
Full Breakdown
Under Sec. 6.065 of the City Code, a pet shop "shall not sell, lease, offer for sale, trade, give away or otherwise transfer a cat or dog" unless it was obtained from a city or county animal shelter, an animal control agency, or an animal welfare organization licensed by the animal services department. Shops must first get a department license, and shops that do sell shelter-sourced dogs or cats face detailed housing, veterinary-visit, sterilization, microchipping, and recordkeeping rules under the same section. Shops may still offer shelter or rescue animals for adoption and collect an adoption fee, but only the shelter or welfare organization may keep that fee.
Violations & Fines
Selling a commercially-bred or dealer-sourced cat or dog, operating a pet shop without a department license, or missing required disclosures/records is a citable violation; loss of license and per-animal penalties apply.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can a San Marcos pet store sell a puppy from a breeder?
Can pet shops still sell other animals like fish or birds?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in San Marcos
Texas rules heatmap·Compare San Marcos to another location·View the Texas animal ordinances overview
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