STANDARDS OF CARE
Oklahoma City Municipal Code ch. 8, art. II, div. 1
in effectOklahoma City Municipal Code § 8-96 Standards of humane care and treatment.
§ 8-96. - Standards of humane care and treatment.
The following standards of humane care and treatment are established for all animals within the City:
(a) Food requirements. Food shall be free from contamination and of sufficient quantity and nutritive value to maintain an animal in good health. An animal shall be fed at least once a day except as dictated by hibernation, veterinary treatment, normal fasts or other professionally accepted practices. All food receptacles shall be kept clean and sanitary.
(b) Water requirements. Safe, clean water shall be provided as often as necessary for the health and comfort of each animal. Frequency of watering shall consider age, species, condition, size and type of animal. Animals shall be watered as required by applicable State and Federal laws. All water shall be provided in sturdy, stable receptacles of adequate size for the animal and shall be kept clean and sanitary.
(c) Space requirements. Enclosures or shelters for animals shall be constructed and maintained to provide sufficient space for each animal to make normal postural and social adjustments and to provide each animal with adequate freedom of movement to maintain good physical condition.
(d) Indoor shelter requirements. Facilities shall be sufficiently heated, cooled and ventilated as to protect the animal from extremes of temperature and to provide for its health and prevent injury or disease. Sufficient light shall be provided, but lighting of primary enclosures shall be designed to protect the animal from physical harm. Such lighting shall be uniformly distributed and of sufficient intensity to permit routine inspection and cleaning.
(e) Outdoor shelter requirements. For purposes of this subsection, "outdoor" shall mean not within an enclosed structure, and subject to the weather and elements. Natural or artificial shelters appropriate to the local climatic conditions for the particular species of animal shall be provided for all animals left outdoors. A suitable method of drainage shall be provided to rapidly eliminate excess water.
(1) shelter for a dog or cat shall consist of a moisture proof and windproof structure of suitable size to accommodate the animal and to allow retention of body heat. It shall be made of durable material and shall be provided with a sufficient quantity of suitable bedding material to provide insulation and protection against cold and dampness and to promote retention of body heat. A dog will be considered "outdoors" regardless of access to an outdoor doghouse or similar structure, unless the structure has an independent source of heat that is safe for use in outdoor structures and does not pose a danger to the animal. The animal's body heat is not a sufficient source when the temperature is below 32 degrees Fahrenheit in Oklahoma City. A vehicle shall not be considered an adequate shelter and shall be prohibited, as described in Section 8-115 of this Chapter.
(2) shelter for livestock or domesticated fowl shall protect the animal from the weather.
(3) shelter for exotic wildlife shall be appropriate to the size and needs of the animal and in compliance with the requirements set forth in Chapter 35, Article VIII of this Code.
(f) It shall be unlawful and a violation of Section 8-95 for any person to leave any dog outdoors and unattended for a period of one-half hour or longer, during such a period when the temperature is below 32 degrees Fahrenheit in Oklahoma City.
In the event temperatures are as described in subsection or facilities are not available as required in (e)(1) of this Section, then the dog shall be brought indoors and remain indoors until outdoor temperatures allow placement of an animal outdoors.
(g) Sanitation requirements. All shelters, enclosures, cages, and litter boxes shall receive necessary cleaning to remove excreta, waste materials, dirt, and trash to minimize disease hazards and to reduce odors. Litter in litter boxes and shaving or other materials used in cages or enclosures shall be changed as frequently as necessary to minimize disease hazards and to reduce odors.
(h) Veterinary and other care requirements. All animals shall have the veterinary and other care necessary to prevent suffering.
(Ord. No. 23145, § 2, 10-3-06; Ord. No. 24523, § 1, 8-28-12; Ord. No. 26995, § 1, 2-15-22)
Oklahoma City Municipal Code § 8-97 Animal Welfare Superintendent may impound animal and/or provide terms and conditions for care.
§ 8-97. - Animal Welfare Superintendent may impound animal and/or provide terms and conditions for care.
(a) Whenever the Superintendent or his/her designee finds any animal is without humane care or treatment, he may, at the owner's expense, impound the animal for protective care. In the event of sickness or injury of the animal and upon the advice of a licensed veterinarian, the Superintendent may take appropriate action to relieve pain and suffering; this shall include the option of immediate humane euthanasia of the animal.
(b) The Animal Welfare Superintendent may issue a citation to the owner for a violation of Section 8-95 and/or may specify the terms and conditions under which the owner may regain or maintain custody of the animal, which terms and conditions statement shall be signed by the owner. Violation of the terms and conditions by the owner is an offense against the City and shall be cause for the issuance of a citation and may result in the impoundment of the animal.
(Ord. No. 23145, § 2, 10-3-06)
Source: City of Oklahoma City, Municipal Code and City Charter (Municode Library, library.municode.com)URL: https://library.municode.com/ok/oklahoma_city/codes/code_of_ordinances?nodeId=OKMUCO2020_CH8AN_ARTIIHUCATR_DIV1STCAFetched: 10/28/2026