Animal rescue organization license.
San Antonio City Code § 5-112
in effectSec. 5-112. - Animal rescue organization license.
No person shall operate an animal rescue organization as defined in this chapter within the city, without first obtaining a license from the department. For the purposes of this section, operating an animal rescue organization includes to house in an enclosure or exchange ownership of an animal(s) to or from said organization. The director shall take into consideration the housing conditions, the history of the animal rescue organization as it relates to sanitation, health, welfare of the animals, birds or reptiles housed, and related zoning requirements. The director may require an inspection and evaluation as part of the approval process or upon the receipt of a complaint after approval.
(1) Applications for an original or renewal of an animal rescue organization license shall be submitted to the department and shall be approved or denied by the department. The department shall investigate the applicant's qualifications for a license, and report findings to the director. A conviction for the violation of any provision of this chapter may constitute cause for denial or revocation of a license.
(2) Failure to apply for a license, or within thirty (30) days after the renewal date, shall constitute a misdemeanor offense.
(3) Each animal rescue organization license issued by the department shall be valid for two (2) years.
(4) Organizations with an animal rescue organization license issued by the department shall be exempt from being required to have a seller's permit or pet shop license.
(5) The following outlines the appeal process for denial or revocation of an animal rescue organization license:
a. A person, group or organization that is denied a license or whose license is revoked has the right to appeal the denial or revocation by submitting written notice to the director within ten (10) working days of the denial or revocation. Upon the timely receipt of such written notice, the department shall schedule an animal permit hearing. The person, group or organization shall be notified of said hearing by certified mail, return receipt requested. Failure by the person, group or organization to appear at the hearing shall result in a final denial or revocation with no further appeal. The person, group or organization may be represented by counsel.
b. The director shall determine whether, by a preponderance of the evidence, an animal rescue organization license should not be denied or revoked based upon evidence, affidavits, and testimony presented at the time of the hearing by any person possessing information pertinent to such determination. The person may cross examine witnesses. A record of the hearing shall be kept. The director shall issue written factual findings and a determination as to whether the license denial or revocation should be reversed within five (5) working days after the animal permit hearing. The person shall be notified of the director's findings and determination by certified mail, return receipt requested. The result of the appeal is final.
(Ord. No. 2017-10-05-0755, § 1, 10-5-17; Ord. No. 2020-10-29-0772, § 1, 10-29-20)
Source: City of San Antonio, City Code, City Charter and Unified Development Code (Municode Library, library.municode.com)URL: https://library.municode.com/tx/san_antonio/codes/code_of_ordinances?nodeId=PTIICO_CH5AN_ARTVANMIPELI_S5-112ANREORLIFetched: 10/27/2026