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Animal Service
Center
5203 Watauga Road
Watauga, Texas 76148
(817) 656-9614
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Did You Know? |
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 It
is a violation of City Codes and Ordinances when you do not
vaccinate and license your dog or cat. It is very important for
safety and health reasons that all pet owners maintain
compliance with the City of Watauga’s vaccination and license
requirements. An accidental bite or scratch from an
unvaccinated dog or cat will cause unneeded hardships on the pet
and pet owner, not to mention your friends, neighbors, or family
members if they must endure injections for rabies as a result of
a bite or scratch. |
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Basic
Requirements for Vaccinations and
License |
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Listed below are the basic requirements for vaccinations and
licenses in the City of Watauga. For a detailed description of
the entire code concerning animal control, click on Pet Codes &
Regulations. You may also contact the Department of Public
Safety, Animal Control Division, or Watauga Animal Service
Center for additional information. Help protect your friends,
your neighbors, your family members, as well as your dogs and
cats by getting the required vaccinations. |
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Vaccinations |
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Every owner of a dog or cat four (4) months of age or older
shall have such animals vaccinated against rabies by a licensed
veterinarian. The animal must receive a booster vaccination
within the 12-month interval following the initial vaccination.
The owner shall then have the option of continuing the yearly
vaccination or having the animal vaccinated every three (3)
years. Any person establishing residence within the City of
Watauga shall comply with this requirement within ten (10) days
of establishing such residence. If an unvaccinated dog or cat
inflicts a bite, scratch, or otherwise attacks any person within
the City limits, a rabies vaccine shall not be administered to
the dog or cat until after a ten (10) day observation period
beginning with the date of the bite, scratch, or attack. |
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Certificate of Vaccination |
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Upon vaccination, the veterinarian shall execute and furnish, to
the owner of the dog or cat as evidence thereof, a certificate
of vaccination. The veterinarian shall retain a duplicate copy
of the certificate and one (1) copy shall be filed with the
owner. Such certificate shall contain the following
information:
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The name,
address, and telephone number of the owner of the vaccinated
animal;
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Identifying
information of the animal including species, sex (including
neutered if applicable), approximate age [three (3) months
to twelve (12) months, twelve (12) months and older], size
(pounds), predominant breed, and colors;
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The vaccine
used-producer, expiration date, and serial number;
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The date of
vaccination;
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The date in
which the vaccination expires (revaccination due date);
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The rabies
tag number if a tag is issued; and
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The
veterinarian’s signature or signature stamp and license
number.
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Rabies Tag |
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Concurrent with the issuance and delivery of the certificate of
vaccination, the owner of the dog or cat shall cause to be
attached to the collar or harness of the vaccinated animal a
metal tag, serially numbered to correspond with the vaccination
certificate number and bearing the year of issuance. The
primary identification for dogs and cats is the tag worn on
their collar. All other identification is considered secondary. |
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Required License |
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All dogs and cats four (4) months of age or older which are
kept, harbored, or maintained within the corporate limits of the
City shall be licensed. Cat and dog licenses shall be issued by
the animal control officer or his or her agents upon payment of
the required fee for each cat or dog. The license fee for cats
and dogs shall be as set forth in the fee schedule found in the
appendix of the Code of Ordinances. Before a City license will
be issued, the owner of the cat or dog must present a
certificate from a licensed veterinarian showing that said cat
or dog has been vaccinated in accordance with the requirements
of Section 2.501 of the Code of Ordinances, as now or hereafter
amended. If the veterinarian is unable to verify the same, or
that such prior vaccination is now undocumented, the owner shall
sign an affidavit stating the veterinarian or clinic, the
address, date, and owner of the animal at the time the
vaccination occurred. The owner shall state his or her name and
address, breed, color, and sex of the cat or dog to be
licensed. Said license shall be valid for one (1) year from the
date of issuance. |
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Fines Up to $2,000 |
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The Texas Local Government Code allows municipalities to impose
fines up to $2,000 for violations of ordinances governing health
and safety. Failing to license and vaccinate pets is considered
a health and safety violation and fines may be imposed by the
Municipal Court Judge up to the maximum allowed by law. The
current fine for failure to display a rabies tag is $157.00, as
is the current fine for failure to license your pet(s). |
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Where To Go |
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Pet licenses can be purchased at City Hall, located at 7105
Whitley Road, Monday-Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m., or at the
Animal Service Center, located at 5203 Watauga Road,
Monday-Saturday, 11:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. For more information,
call (817) 656-9614. |
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