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TITLE 22EXAMINING BOARDS
PART 24TEXAS BOARD OF VETERINARY MEDICAL EXAMINERS
CHAPTER 573RULES OF PROFESSIONAL CONDUCT
SUBCHAPTER GOTHER PROVISIONS
RULE §573.77Sterilization of Animals from Releasing Agencies

(a) Definitions. The following words and terms, when used in this section, shall have the following meanings, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise:

  (1) Releasing agency--a public or private animal pound, shelter, or humane organization. This term does not include an individual who occasionally renders humane assistance or shelter in the individual's home to a dog or cat.

  (2) Animal--a dog or cat.

  (3) Microchip--a transponder that is placed under an animal's skin by an injector and can be read by a microchip scanner.

  (4) Tattoo--a permanent etching formed by injecting ink into the basal layer of the epidermis of an animal.

(b) Sterilization required. A new owner of an animal released from a releasing agency must have the animal sterilized in accordance with Chapter 828, Health and Safety Code.

(c) Identification markers. An animal sterilized under this section must be identified by a microchip and/or a tattoo indicating that it has been sterilized.

  (1) A new owner of an animal with a microchip shall be responsible for providing information to the data base registry of the microchip manufacturer indicating that the animal has been sterilized.

  (2) A tattoo must:

    (A) be placed on the inside of the animal's thigh near the abdomen or on the caudal-ventral abdomen;

    (B) be imprinted with ink that is manufactured in the United States;

    (C) meet the standards of the federal Food and Drug Administration for tattooing;

    (D) be of a contrasting color to the predominant color of the skin in which it is tattooed; and

    (E) consist of the universal symbol for male or female overlain by a slash through the circle to indicate sterilization.


Source Note: The provisions of this §573.77 adopted to be effective June 14, 2012, 37 TexReg 4229

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