CORPUS CHRISTI, TX – At today’s regularly scheduled City Council Meeting, Mayor Paulette Guajardo and the City Council approved the first reading of an amendment to the ordinance dedicated to animal care and control.

These revisions bring the ordinances up to current animal welfare standards and practices, allowing the City to continue providing essential services through its animal control program. 

The changes include:

-Defining “Animal Rescue Organization”

-Updating Pet Shop Requirements and Prohibition

-Clarifying definition changes to prohibited animals

-Adding requirements for dangerous dog owners-Amending regulations regarding aggressive dogs

In addition, a proposed new section states that all animals over six months must be spayed and neutered unless an owner obtains an Intact Permit from Animal Care Services. An intact permit would authorize ownership or possession of a pet without them being spayed or neutered.  

There are also recommendations to prohibit selling puppies, kittens, dogs, and cats in any pet store unless they are animals from Corpus Christi Animal Care Services (CCACS) or an Animal Rescue with a current Memorandum of Understanding with CCACS.

“The City of Corpus Christi’s Animal Care Services is working to promote responsible pet ownership and reduce the overpopulation of animals and strays,” Mayor Guajardo said. “Today’s action is being proactive in addressing this issue.”

The second reading of the ordinance revisions will be on March 7. Revisions to the ordinance and the new fee schedule will take effect on October 1. Over the next several months, a media campaign will take place to educate and inform the residents of Corpus Christi of the changes.

To learn more about the Animal Care Services Chapter 6 Ordinance amendments, please visit our website at https://www.cctexas.com/chapter6. 

Media representatives requesting more information may contact Public Information Officer Gabriela Morrow at 361-826-3583 or [email protected].