Amarillo, TX Is Considering a New Ordinance to Combat Pet Overpopulation - National Humane Education Society

Paws Up!
February 17,2018

To the Amarillo Animal Management and Welfare (AAM&W) in Texas for introducing an ordinance that would require animal breeders in Amarillo to obtain breeding licenses.

As more Americans are spaying and neutering their pets, the number of animals being euthanized in shelters across the United States is slowly declining. However, in Amarillo, Texas, over 1/3 of the animals surrendered to the Amarillo-Panhandle Humane Society were euthanized due to overcrowding. To remedy this sobering reality, a new ordinance is being considered in the city to discourage and monitor for-profit animal breeding.

According to a recent news article, an ordinance in Amarillo, Texas, would require people who breed and sell puppies for profit to acquire a license and pay a fee between $500 and $1000. The ordinance would also ban roadside for-profit sale of puppies, and instate a $20 fee for surrendering an animal to the shelter. If an animal is impounded twice in three years by animal control, the owner must spay or neuter that animal, or pay a fee of $500.

To learn more about the advantages of spaying and neutering your companion animal, please download our free brochure here.

Take Action:  Amarillo residents, contact your councilmember to express your support for this ordinance to help combat pet overpopulation.