"Baytown pet rules: microchips, rabies shots and leashes"

Microchips

"The owner of any dog or cat kept within the corporate limits of the City of Baytown must have the animal implanted with a microchip and registered with a microchip registry." Puppies and kittens must be chipped within 30 days of turning four months old. There are limited exceptions, such as new residents in their first 30 days and animals held for sale or adoption. (City Code Sec. 14-9.)

Rabies vaccination

It's unlawful to own or keep a dog or cat that hasn't been vaccinated against rabies, and shots must be kept current (Sec. 14-66). Your vet will tell you when boosters are due.

Running loose

It's unlawful to let an animal other than a cat "run at large," meaning off your property without a leash, chain, carrier or cage, or not confined at home by a solid fence or restraint that keeps it at least six feet from a public sidewalk. Fines start at $25 for a first offense, $100 for a second within 12 months and $300 for each one after that. These are minimums. A second offense also requires the animal to be microchipped. (Secs. 14-1 and 14-5.)

Tethering

A dog left outside on a restraint must have shelter, shade, clean drinking water and a properly fitted collar or harness. The restraint can't be a chain or have weights attached, and it must be at least 10 feet long or five times the dog's length, whichever is greater (Sec. 14-12).

How many pets

There's no cap on cats or on one to three dogs. Keeping four or more adult dogs makes your home a "kennel" (Sec. 14-1), which needs a city kennel license (Sec. 14-126) and can't be within 100 feet of a private residence (Sec. 14-96). Kennel licenses expire Dec. 31 each year (Sec. 14-132). Ask Animal Services if you have four or more.

Chickens and other animals

See Can I keep chickens or goats in Baytown?

Who to call

Baytown Animal Services.

Where the shelter is

Baytown Animal Services is at 705 N. Robert C. Lanier Drive and is open Monday through Saturday from noon to 5 p.m. It admits only animals found or kept inside the city limits, by appointment and with proof of residency. Where is the animal shelter in Baytown? covers admission, microchips, lost pets and fostering.

Sources

• City of Baytown Code of Ordinances, Chapter 14 (Animals): Secs. 14-1, 14-5, 14-9, 14-12, 14-66, 14-96, 14-126, 14-132; Sec. 14-3 and Sec. 1-14 (penalties). library.municode.com/tx/baytown
• City of Baytown, Pet Microchips (baytown.org/1390).
• City of Baytown, Animal Services (address and hours): https://www.baytown.org/1160/Animal-Services
• City of Baytown, Animal Admission (residency and appointment): https://www.baytown.org/1517/Animal-Admission

En español

En Baytown, los perros y gatos deben tener microchip registrado y estar vacunados contra la rabia, con pocas excepciones. Los perros y otros animales, excepto los gatos, no pueden andar sueltos: la multa mínima es de 25 dólares la primera vez, 100 la segunda en 12 meses y 300 cada vez después. No hay límite para gatos, pero tener cuatro o más perros adultos convierte su casa en una perrera, que necesita licencia de la ciudad y no puede estar a menos de 100 pies de una residencia privada. Para más información, llame a Servicios de Animales.

Dónde está el refugio

Baytown Animal Services está en 705 N. Robert C. Lanier Drive y abre de lunes a sábado de 12 del mediodía a 5 p.m. Solo admite animales encontrados o mantenidos dentro de los límites de la ciudad, con cita y prueba de residencia. ¿Dónde está el refugio de animales de Baytown? explica la admisión, los microchips, las mascotas perdidas y los hogares temporales.