NE Texas plans to ban feeding strays, require pet microchips

TITUS COUNTY, TX. (KTAL/KMSS) – A proposed ordinance has been introduced to the residents of northeast Texas, to ban feeding stray animals and requiring pets to have microchips.

Mount Pleasant’s proposed animal ordinance cites feeding strays as a safety hazard, ‘Attracting stray and wild animals to one’s residence is a hazard to those living around that neighbor and puts others, and their pets, in danger.’

According to the proposed ordinance the four changes under ‘chapter 97, ANIMALS’ are:

• Requiring that dog and cat owners microchip their animals if the animal is kept within city limits. New pet owners and residents would have 30 days after pet ownership or moving into the city limits.’
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• Making it unlawful for someone to sell or give away animals within the city limits and further makes it unlawful for property owners to allow individuals to sell or give away animals on their property.’
• Prohibits the feeding of stray animals or leaving out food for stray animals.
• Adding language requiring sterilization of an animal that is impounded prior to redemption by the owner at the owner’s cost. Owners who have an animal impounded will have 30 days, similar to adoptions, to have their dog/cat spayed or neutered.

The ordinance hopes to reduce the number of impounded animals and requires owners to update their information upon registering.

‘A pet identification microchip implant is given to every cat and dog adopted out of the shelter free of charge,’ says Mount Pleasant Animal Services.

It says, ‘animals impounded are typically found at large and, while at large, contribute to unwanted puppy/kitten litter. With the combination of microchipping, used to track the animals and pet owners we encounter, with this ordinance, we believe it will have a reducing effect on our stray animal population.’

The ordinance is currently in review as of April 15, 2025, according to the Mount Pleasant City Council regular agenda meeting minutes.