Texas Health and Safety Code - HEALTH & SAFETY § 828.001. Definitions

(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.

(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.

(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.

(4) “Veterinarian” means a person licensed to practice veterinary medicine by the State Board of Veterinary Medical Examiners.