AUSTIN, Texas — The Leander City Council approved a new resolution Thursday night that will update fire codes for pet boarding facilities in the area.
The move comes in the wake of a September 2021 fire at the Ponderosa Pet Resort boarding facility in Georgetown that resulted in the deaths of 75 dogs.
At Thursday night's meeting, members approved stricter code rules that include the implementation of sprinkler systems, as well as 24-hour staff supervision, depending on the number of animals staying at a respective facility.
The move follows a similar law passed by the state in May, which added another requirement for Texas pet resorts following the Georgetown fire.
That law, championed by State Rep. James Talarico (D-Round Rock), requires kennels to give pet owners a written notice if their animal will be left unattended during specific hours. Under the bill, if a pet is injured or dies while unattended and the facility didn't give written notice, that would be a Class B misdemeanor.
The state law will go into effect on Sept. 1.