{"data":{"id":"us-tx/tex.-health-and-safety-code-828.001","jurisdiction":"us-tx","citation":"Tex. Health and Safety Code § 828.001","heading":"DEFINITIONS.","body":"In this chapter:\n(1) \"New owner\" means a person who is legally competent to enter into a binding contract and who is adopting a dog or cat from a releasing agency.\n(2) \"Releasing agency\" means a public or private animal pound, shelter, or humane organization. The term does not include an individual who occasionally renders humane assistance or shelter in the individual's home to a dog or cat.\n(3) \"Sterilization\" means the surgical removal of the reproductive organs of a dog or cat or the use of nonsurgical methods and technologies approved by the United States Food and Drug Administration or the United States Department of Agriculture to permanently render the animal unable to reproduce.\n(4) \"Veterinarian\" means a person licensed to practice veterinary medicine by the State Board of Veterinary Medical Examiners.\nAdded by Acts 1991, 72nd Leg., ch. 373, Sec. 1, eff. Jan. 1, 1992.\nAmended by:\nActs 2005, 79th Leg., Ch. 230 (S.B. 248), Sec. 1, eff. May 27, 2005.","path":["HEALTH AND SAFETY CODE","TITLE 10. HEALTH AND SAFETY OF ANIMALS","CHAPTER 828. DOG AND CAT STERILIZATION"],"source_url":"https://statutes.capitol.texas.gov/Docs/HS/htm/HS.828.htm#828.001","current_through":"89th 2nd Called Legislative Session, 2025","vintage":"","retrieved_at":"2026-08-27T01:47:17Z","sha256":"77c2f02c8c5ee5aec124a62c61768e4163120e8fbee102386ff60987cd16e578","source_id":"us-tx","stale":false,"prev":"us-tx/tex.-health-and-safety-code-826.055","next":"us-tx/tex.-health-and-safety-code-828.002"},"notice":"GroundRules: Original legal text. Not legal advice."}