San Antonio, TX Animal Ordinances: Wildlife Rescue Permits (2026)

San Antonio Code of Ordinances Sec. 5-112 requires a license from the department before any person operates an animal rescue organization, and it defines that activity broadly: housing an animal in an enclosure or exchanging ownership of an animal to or from the organization counts, whether the animals held are dogs, cats, birds or reptiles. Before approval, the director weighs the organization's housing conditions and its compliance history on sanitation, animal welfare and zoning, and can order an inspection either as part of the initial review or after receiving a complaint once the license is active.

Applications for an original license or a renewal go to the department, which investigates the applicant's qualifications and reports findings to the director; a prior conviction under Chapter 5 can be grounds to deny or revoke the license. A licensed rescue organization does not also need a separate seller's permit or pet shop license to place animals with adopters, and each license, once issued, runs for two years before renewal is required. Failing to apply for a license, or missing the deadline more than 30 days after a renewal date, is a misdemeanor offense under this section.

If the department denies or revokes a license, the operator has ten working days to file written notice appealing to the director, who must schedule an animal permit hearing, notify the organization by certified mail, and after the hearing issue written findings within five working days; that decision is final, and failure to appear at the hearing forfeits any further appeal.