I. Section .007(a) Galveston County Animal Control Ordinance
Any person conducting, managing, owning, or maintaining a commercial
animal establishment must have a valid permit for said establishment.
II. Section .007(d) Galveston County Animal Control Ordinance
All plans for construction and design of commercial animal establishments shall
be submitted to and approved by the Health District before any building permit
is issued or any construction is begun.
III. A. The issuance of a permit for a commercial animal establishment
does not in any way relieve
the permit holder from any other
applicable sections of the Galveston County Animal
Control ordinance, or to any other
regulations including but not limited to the Public Health
Laws of Texas, zoning, building,
or nuisance ordinances which may be applicable.
B. The commercial animal establishment
must be designated and constructed in such a manner
so as to meet all terms and requirements
prescribed by applicable rules and regulations of the
State of Texas and must further meet
all design and construction requirements of the Galveston
County Health District.
C. Design and construction of animal
establishments shall meet all terms and requirements
prescribed by the building codes
of appropriate governing entities within the County of
Galveston County. where the governing
bodies do not have codes, then the Southern Building
Codes shall apply.
1. Electrical
(a) The electrical service should be fully adequate to handle all equipment and meet
the electrical code of the city or area in which the building is located.(b) All electrical receptacles in areas exposed to water should be of a weather-proof
type. (c) Lighting should be of sufficient intensity, at least 30 foot candles 30 inches from
the floor to permit routine inspection and cleaning of the entire premises.
2. Ventilation should adequately provide for the health and comfort of the animals at all times. Facilities must be provided with fresh air either by means of windows, doors, vents or air conditioning and shall be ventilated so as to minimize drafts, odors, and moisture condensation.
3. Facilities should be sufficiently heated when necessary to protect the animals.
4. Water supply
(a) An adequate potable water supply from an approved source must be provided.
(b) Facilities for personal hygiene, such as washrooms, basins or sinks shall be
provided for employees in readily accessible location so as to promote frequent
hand washing with germicidal soap to reduce the transfer of diseases.(c) An adequate hot water supply should be provided to be used during cleanup
procedures.(d) Animal watering bowls should be of the removable type for washing. They
should be mounted three inches (3") above the floor to allow cleaning.(e) A sink large enough to accommodate the largest piece of equipment shall be
provided for the cleaning of equipment.
5. Plumbing should be designed to meet the plumbing code of the city or area in which the building is to be located.
6. Structural strength of the animal containment areas should be such and maintained in order to protect the animals from injury, to contain them, and to prevent exposure to other animals.(a) All wastewater must exit the building into an approved wastewater disposal facility.
(b) A suitable method of drainage shall be provided to remove excess water from housing facilities. Drain should be properly constructed and kept in good repair to avoid foul odors therefrom. If closed drainage systems are used they shall be equipped with traps and so installed as to prevent any backup of sewage onto the floor of the room.
(c) Floor drains in animal containment areas should have lift-out grills. A floor drain in a euthanasia room should have a flush-type drain.
(d) All rooms in animal containment areas with floor drains should be sloped to the drain at a pitch of "+ to 1' –0".
Facilities shall be of adequate size and construction to handle any animal housed therein with sufficient space to allow each animal to turn around fully, stand, sit and lie in a comfortable, normal position.
7. Interior surfaces of the facilities shall be constructed and maintained so they are impervious to moisture and may be easily cleaned and sanitized.
(a) Kennel floors
should be of a high density reinforced material finished smooth so as
not to hold dirt and treated with a high quality sealer. Corners in gutters
and at wall
and floor intersections should be covered to prevent dirt buildup and
facilitate
cleaning.
(b) Walls in kennel areas should be of a waterproof, easily cleanable material.
(c) Non-animal containment
areas should be constructed in a manner as to facilitate
good housekeeping.
8. Storage of food supplies and bedding shall be in facilities to adequately
protect such supplies against infestation or contamination by vermin. Refrigeration
shall be provided for supplies of perishable food.
9. Waste disposal shall be made for the removal and disposal of animal and food wastes, bedding and debris. Disposal facilities shall be so provided and operated as to minimize vermin infestation, odors, and disease hazards. Waste disposal areas shall have access to hot water for cleaning and a drain which connects to the wastewater disposal facilities.
D. Outdoor facilities shall meet all requirements previously listed, where applicable. In addition,
facilities shall include the following:
1. Be of adequate size and construction to handle any animal housed therein;2. Provide adequate shelter to protect animals from tiny form of overheating, cold or inclement
weather;3. Be constructed in such a manner that they will protect the animal;
4. Be readily sanitized and not create a nuisance;
5. Provide a suitable method to eliminate excess water rapidly
E. Two copies of plans for animal establishments shall submitted to the Health District; one of which is to be retained by the District, and must contain the following information:
1. Site plan
2. Floor, wall and ceiling schedules
3. Mechanical drawings
4. Plumbing illustration
5. Electrical illustration
6. Equipment list with specifications
7. Name, address and phone number of owner and/or architect.
La Marque, Texas
P.O. Box 939
La Marque, TX 77568
Ph:(409) 938-2300