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TACA

The Texas Animal Control Association is a group dedicated to the advancement of Animal Control and Welfare personnel. Our goal is to educate and train Animal Control/Humane personnel and educate the public in the responsibilities of Animal Control personnel. TACA works to ensure that its member's voices are heard at the local, state, and national levels to ensure that the best interests of the profession are protected. We have an annual educational conference and offer comprehensive training opportunities. Read more...

COVID-19 Resources for Animal Control Officers
ShelterMedicine.com
Animal Sheltering.org
NACANet.org
BestFriends.org
CDC.gov

The resources above are provided solely to assist ACOs in deciding what policies and procedures are best for the communities they serve. TACA does not endorse any one particular group's information or recommendations over another. TACA believes that in all animal-related issues, no one policy statement can be applicable to the unique challenges each community faces and this is particularly true for the response to the COVID-19 pandemic. TACA believes it is best for local jurisdictions to make operational decisions based on what is believed to be best for the staff, their residents, and the animals in their care. If we can be of any assistance in this process, please contact any of our Board Members and we will be happy to do our best to help in this process.

Department of State Health Services Statement on CE Hours andTraining:

Chapter 829 of the Texas Health and Safety Code mandates that 30 hours of required continuing education (CE) training for Animal Control Officers (ACOs) approved by the Department of State Health Services (DSHS) be completed every 3 years. Of these, DSHS policy has been that a maximum of 10 hours per 3-year period can be obtained via satisfactory completion of DSHS-approved online training. However, due to the number of course cancellations and the limitations on travel created by the outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), a temporary exception to this limit has been implemented. For ACOs whose 3-year period ends between March 15, 2020, and March 15, 2021 (inclusive), up to 30 of the required CE hours can be earned via satisfactory completion of DSHS-approved online training. Please note that certificates of completion from online sponsors may still include the statement about the 10-hour limit; that does not mean that this temporary exception does not apply.
Reminder: currently there is still a requirement in Chapter 829 that the 30 hours of CE be completed within the 3-year period following the completion date of the ACO Basic Training course. However, in light of recent COVID-related events, there is a possibility that the requirement may be waived. We will update you if there is any change.

Please be advised that the outbreak of COVID-19 has resulted in cancellation of many Animal Control Officer Basic Training and continuing education courses. Contact the course sponsor to determine if a course you plan to attend will still be conducted.

Pamela J. Wilson, DrCH, MEd, LVT, MCHES
Zoonosis Control Branch; MC 1956
P.O. Box 149347
Austin, TX 78714-9347

Click here for a list of online courses available for CE hours

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For any questions about membership, training, billing, etc, please click HERE.

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Job Listings are open to Members only. To post a job to the TACA website, please send the information by clicking
HERE
An online URL is required, and a closing date should be included.
Jobs are posted until the closing date or one month, whichever comes first.

The TCCI 101 Class that was cancelled in March has now been rescheduled for August 23-24, 2020 at a different location in Waco.
Please see below:

Upcoming events

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Texas Certified Cruelty Investigator Course 201

Start
June 25, 2020

8:00 AM (CDT)

End
June 26, 2020

5:00 PM (CDT)

Location
Waco

Register

COURSE 201

Approved for 13 CE hours by TDSHS.
Topics covered include basic investigation techniques, legal aspects, search warrants, writing reports, warrants, and affidavits, and a mock trial. This Course is not required for Certified Peace Officers.

Hosted by Waco Animal Services
Classes at Waco Animal Shelter
2032 Circle Rd.
Waco, TX. 76706

July 25-26, 2020: 8:00 - 5:00 each day

All courses are approved by the Texas Veterinary Medical Association for continuing education hours for Certified Veterinary Technicians.

Animal Control Officers must satisfactorily complete all three courses. Certified Peace Officers must satisfactorily complete Courses 101 and 301.

Courses do not have to be taken in any particular order; however certification is not transferred until all courses are successfully completed as required.

Officers who have successfully completed a cruelty investigations course given by the National Animal Control Association, the Law Enforcement Training Institute, or the Association of Certified Cruelty Investigators may be certified as a TCCI if they email proof of training for consideration and approval. Officers who have successfully completed prior training may get credit for CI 101 and/or CI 201 and only be required to complete CI 301 for certification.

All Officers certified as TCCI must obtain and maintain an annual membership with TACA.

All Officers certified as TCCI must successfully complete a renewal course at least once every three years. Renewal courses will be provided each year at TACA's Annual Training Conference.

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Texas Certified Cruelty Investigator 101

Start
August 23, 2020

1:00 PM (CDT)

End
August 25, 2020

5:00 PM (CDT)

Location
Waco

Spaces left
2

Register

COURSE 101

Approved for 17 CE hours by TDSHS

Topics covered include the correlation between animal cruelty and human violence, bloodsports, and animal husbandry of domestic pets and livestock.

Hosted by Waco Animal Services

Classes at: City of Waco Operations Center
1415 N. 4^th Street
Waco, TX 76707

August 23, 2020: 1:00 - 5:00
August 24-25, 2020: 8:00 - 5:00 each day

All courses are approved by the Texas Veterinary Medical Association for continuing education hours for Certified Veterinary Technicians.

Courses 101 and 301 are approved by the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement Officer Standards and Education for continuing education hours for law enforcement personnel.

Animal Control Officers must satisfactorily complete all three courses. Certified Peace Officers must satisfactorily complete Courses 101 and 301.

Courses do not have to be taken in any particular order; however certification is not transferred until all courses are successfully completed as required.

Officers who have successfully completed a cruelty investigations course given by the National Animal Control Association, the Law Enforcement Training Institute, or the Association of Certified Cruelty Investigators may be certified as a TCCI if they email proof of training for consideration and approval. Officers who have successfully completed prior training may get credit for CI 101 and/or CI 201 and only be required to complete CI 301 for certification.

All Officers certified as TCCI must obtain and maintain an annual membership with TACA.

All Officers certified as TCCI must successfully complete a renewal course at least once every three years. Renewal courses will be provided each year at TACA's Annual Training Conference.

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2020 Annual Conference Sponsors and Vendors Registration Available

Start
November 08, 2020

(CST)

End
November 11, 2020

(CST)

Location
Abilene, TX

Register

The Texas Animal Control Association (TACA) will hold its 46^th Annual Conference in Abilene, TX, on November 8^th thru the 11^th at the MCM Elegante Hotel. TACA is the oldest state association in the United States and this is the most attended conference by city and county governments that have animal control/welfare departments and operate animal shelters in Texas. These government entities have annual budgets to operate these departments and are looking for vendors that have products and services that meet their needs. We try to keep our sponsorship/exhibitor rates as reasonable as possible because we understand that come companies that have goods or services that can greatly benefit our attendees simply can’t afford $1,000 or more for nothing more than a table at a small booth. Our conference provides the chance to spend more time with each registrant on a more personal level so that the advertising value to our sponsors and exhibitors is maximized.

TACA looks forward to your participation as a sponsor/exhibitor at this year’s conference. This registration form details all of the sponsor/exhibitor opportunities. The faster the registration is completed and paid for, the sooner we can post your company as a sponsor/exhibitor for this year’s conference on our web site, mailer, and other promotional materials. Space and sponsorships are limited but as a returning sponsor/exhibitor, you will have an exclusive registration opportunity until February 10th. After that, we will open the registration to all interested parties so please complete your registration as soon as possible to reserve your space at the conference and ensure you are able to sponsor at the level you would like.

You can get lost in the crowd of other conferences or you can come join us and really have the opportunity to interact with all of our attendees! If you need any additional information or have any questions, please feel free to email me or call (682) 241-0905.

Sincerely,
Jay Sabatucci
Executive Director
Texas Animal Control Association

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