Stray Policies
Rescue of Last Resort
Copilot Animal Rescue (CAR) primarily admits owner surrenders. However, we do take in stray animals when possible depending on a variety of factors (budget, kennel space, availability, etc.) CAR operates as a "rescue of last resort." If a stray is found within the known jurisdictional area of a city animal shelter or within the boundaries of a contracted animal shelter for a city/county, CAR will direct the finder to those resources first. CAR does not receive financial support from any local government jurisdiction and is not contracted for services. As a 501(c)(3) unattached to any local government agency, we are required to follow the law and respect existing animal control jurisdictions. CAR will make a good faith effort to identify an existing ACO or shelter contracted for the area the stray was found before moving forward with a stray intake. If a finder misrepresents themselves as an owner, they assume the legal liability with the owner surrender intake form and contract.
Stray Hold
Texas state law is not explicitly clear about just how long a stray must be held in all circumstances outside the jurisdiction of city and county law. Clearer guidelines are provided for livestock animals, but companion animal laws are a little more nebulous and left to individual jurisdictions to determine the appropriate stray hold period.
In 2016, the Texas Supreme court upheld the rightful owner's right to reclaim their dog regardless of whether the animal was transferred to a rescue by an animal control center. Simply, just because a stray is found, regardless of whether they are in good condition or not, the owner has the right to reclaim after the payment of applicable charges and fees.
However, ownership laws in Texas seems to indicate that anyone who feeds or cares for an animal is the legal owner. The point at which ownership transfers or is abandoned is still a point of discussion under Texas law. Texas Administration Code 169.22 defines the custodian of an animal as a person or agency which feeds, shelters, harbors, owns, has possession or control of, or has the responsibility to control an animal. No time limit is established (i.e., 3-days). The Texas Supreme Court case previously mentioned may obfuscate that lack of timeline.
Laws may also vary in counties of less than 75,000 people or in unincorporated areas. Since our strays may come from a variety of places, the Texas Association of Counties reference guide is used. As such, CAR's policy is to hold and post a stray that enters our care publicly for 10 days providing the owner with time to reclaim and pay any associated medical expenses before posting the animal up for adoption.
Microchip Scan
We scan every dog—owner surrender or stray—for a microchip upon arrival. This is to help reunite pets with their proper owners. If microchip information is out of date, a reasonable attempt will be made to find the owners (such as through a social media search, reverse phone number lookup, etc.).
Rabies Control Act & Other Vaccinations
Texas Health and Safety Code, Chapter 826 requires all pet owners to vaccinate (and keep current) their pets against the deadly rabies virus after four months of age. Failure to do so is a Class C Misdemeanor with up to a $300 fine. If no evidence of rabies vaccination is found on the animal at time of surrender, CAR will vaccinate for rabies. If an owner later comes forward, the owner is responsible for reimbursing medical expenses including rabies, Bordetella, DHPPv, microchip, heartworm tests/treatment, spay/neuter, and any related surgery costs.
Dangerous Animals
Texas regulates dangerous animals and permits the euthanasia of dangerous animals through humane measures. CAR does not euthanize animals to "free up space," but we may make a decision to euthanize a dangerous animal if conditions require it for the health and safety of other dogs at the rescue or the safety of our fosters, kennel workers, and volunteers.
List of Consolidated Laws
For a list of consolidated laws regarding animal control, please see this guide.