Background
Across Texas, thousands of dogs and cats are entrusted to boarding, daycare, and training facilities every day. While these services play a critical role for pet owners, the current legal protections for animals in these environments are limited and leave substantial gaps in oversight, transparency, and accountability. Recent legislative progress, such as the 2023 Texas kennel law (House Bill 2063), establishes some important safeguards, but much more can be done to ensure that animals in boarding and training care are treated safely, humanely, and with transparency to their owners.
Protecting Animals in Texas Boarding and Training Facilities: Opportunities for Stronger Laws
Current Protections Under Texas Law
Texas Health & Safety Code Chapter 824 (Kennels) defines a kennel as any facility— including veterinary clinics—that boards dogs or cats and provides related services such as training, grooming, or daycare for compensation. Facilities that board three or fewer animals at a time are exempt. The law’s central protection is a transparency requirement: if animals will be left unattended without an employee present, the owner must be notified in writing and must consent, acknowledging whether the facility has a fire sprinkler system. Violations are subject to a civil penalty of $500 per animal per day.
While this requirement addresses transparency and fire safety, it does not address other welfare aspects such as illness response, staffing levels, or ongoing owner communication. Outside this law, facilities are primarily governed by general animal-cruelty provisions under Texas Penal Code §42.092, which make it an offense to fail to provide adequate food, water, care, or shelter to animals under one’s control. Similarly, Chapter 826 (Rabies Control) mandates isolation and veterinary evaluation for animals suspected of rabies exposure. However, no uniform state standards dictate how boarding or training kennels must monitor, report, or respond to animal health concerns.
Gaps and Deficiencies in the Current Legal Framework
Despite these baseline protections, the current Texas framework leaves numerous vulnerabilities for animals housed in boarding or training facilities. Among the most concerning deficiencies are:
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No requirement for live or recorded video monitoring, leaving owners with limited visibility into their pets’ care or safety.
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No legal obligation for immediate owner notification when an animal becomes ill, injured, or shows signs of distress.
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No mandated veterinary evaluation or isolation protocol when contagious diseases or injuries occur.
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No statewide inspection or licensing requirement for boarding and training facilities beyond basic business registration.
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No minimum staffing ratios, temperature/air quality requirements, or emergency preparedness mandates.
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No standardized reporting system for incidents, injuries, or animal deaths at facilities.
The Case for Stronger Protections
Texas’ growing pet population and the expansion of commercial boarding and training services make this an urgent time to modernize state animal-welfare standards. Families trust these facilities with their animals’ lives, yet there are few guarantees about how their pets will be treated or monitored in their absence. The tragic losses that occasionally occur in fires, disease outbreaks, or neglectful conditions underscore the need for enforceable minimum standards—not just voluntary promises.
Other states and cities have adopted commonsense measures such as 24-hour staffing or surveillance, mandatory illness protocols, and reporting of serious incidents. Texas has an opportunity to build upon its new kennel disclosure law by extending protections into areas that directly impact animal health, safety, and transparency for pet owners.
Policy and Legislative Opportunities for Texas
Advocates, legislators, and animal-care professionals can pursue the following reforms
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Transparency & Monitoring: Require 24/7 camera coverage in animal-housing areas, with recordings retained for a minimum period and optional owner viewing access.
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Owner Communication: Mandate prompt owner notification (within two hours) of any illness, injury, or emergency requiring veterinary attention.
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Veterinary & Health Protocols: Require each licensed facility to maintain an on-call veterinarian, an isolation area for sick animals, and written emergency plans.
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Staffing & Safety: Set minimum staff-to-animal ratios and require awake overnight personnel or monitored alarm systems with remote alerts.
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Licensing & Inspection: Create a state licensing and inspection program for all boarding/training kennels housing more than three animals at a time.
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Reporting & Transparency: Mandate public reporting of inspection results, animal injuries, and deaths, similar to restaurant health-grade postings.
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Recognition & Incentives: Establish a 'Gold Standard Facility' program recognizing kennels that exceed minimum standards (e.g., live cameras, owner updates, veterinary oversight).
Path Forward: How Texas Can Lead
Implementing these reforms would not only improve animal welfare outcomes but also strengthen consumer trust in Texas pet-care businesses. Transparency tools such as cameras and mandatory illness notifications empower owners to make informed decisions and reduce the likelihood of tragedy. Licensing and inspection systems create a level playing field for responsible operators while weeding out negligent or unsafe practices.
Texas has a proud tradition of balancing business freedom with common-sense safety standards. Extending that philosophy to the boarding and training industry ensures both animals and owners are protected. Legislative advocacy, public education, and voluntary industry certification can work together to achieve this goal.
For policymakers, animal welfare advocates, and facility owners alike, the message is clear: transparency saves lives, communication builds trust, and regulation ensures accountability. Texas can and should lead the way in modern, humane, and responsible standards for animal care facilities.