Grassroots lobbying is one of the most effective ways for animal advocates to help pass animal welfare legislation! 

Any animal lover can play a critical role in educating legislators on the animal protection issues impacting their communities.  This interactive "Introduction to Lobbying" workshop will show how anyone can be a powerful voice for animals during the 2023 legislative session.

When you RSVP, you will automatically land on a page with the webinar.  

Check out this webinar to hear from Mindi Callison, Executive Director, of Bailing Out Benji. Mindi will discuss all things puppy mills and focus on the ABCs of puppy mills, why regulating puppy mills is important, and why Texas is unique in terms of selling puppies from puppy mills in other states. Learn what we need to do now as advocates to help protect dogs currently in large-scale breeding facilities in Texas.

Mindi Callison is the Founder and Executive Director of the National nonprofit organization, Bailing Out Benji which focuses on the grassroots effort to combat the puppy mill industry. Mindi founded Bailing Out Benji at 21 years old after falling victim to the puppy mill industry by way of a local pet store, which offered her a credit card with high interest. Upon learning about the pet store/puppy mill connection and learning about the predatory lending practices that these stores utilize to take advantage of low-income families, Mindi knew that she needed to act. Bailing Out Benji and its research has been instrumental in passing humane ordinances across the country, they have also been one of the driving forces behind exposing the national puppy laundering scheme that is currently happening in numerous states.

When you RSVP, you will automatically land on a page with the webinar. 

Tackling Tigers: Why the Big Cat Public Safety Act is Critical to Protecting Communities, Big Cats, and Ending Wildlife Trafficking in the U.S.

Texas is a hot spot for the private possession, breeding, and trafficking of big cats such as lions, tigers, and cheetahs. The problems flowing from private possession are myriad, including the threat to public safety, a lack of information about the number and location of big cats, and the attendant cruelty that results when big cats are owned by individuals who lack the expertise and resources to care for them properly. 

Outside of Texas, some states ban private ownership altogether, some regulate in part, and others have no regulation. In short, this regulatory patchwork fails to protect public safety and big cats. The problem requires a federal solution and the time to do it is NOW.

Please join us as Carney Anne Nasser-Garcia, an expert on big cat ownership, will explain how HR 263 - the Big Cat Public Safety Act - will protect the public, first responders, and big cats by prohibiting private ownership.

Carney Anne is the "go-to person in the country for laws about big cat ownership.” She became the second full-time animal law professor in the world when Michigan State University hired her to be the founding director of the law school’s animal law clinic. She is the attorney who pitched the wildlife trafficking case against notorious "Tiger King" Joe Exotic to federal prosecutors and investigators.

Nasser-Garcia is a frequent contributor to media outlets like National Geographic, Al Jazeera, Dr. Oz, The New York Times, and global wildlife meetings like the CITES treaty meetings. After over a decade working in academia and the nonprofit animal protection community, she now serves as an independent expert consultant for NGOs, government agencies, investigative journalists, and lawmakers and is about to embark on a one-year research fellowship in animal law and policy at Harvard University. She hosts a podcast called Tiger Talk which she takes listeners behind the scenes of the big cat trade through discussions with other experts in the protection and conservation of big cats.

Nasser-Garcia lives in New Orleans with her husband, three sons, and two grumpy rescued Shih Tzus.

After signup below, you will receive an auto-response email with a link to the webinar.

As the country continues to suffer the effects of COVID-19, the animal welfare field is evolving the way we respond to crises and offer community support. Housing insecurity, although not new, has been exacerbated by the pandemic. Learn about how the animal welfare community is responding to the eviction crisis and how you can get involved to help keep people and their pets together. 

Special guest, Lauren Loney, Texas State Director for the Humane Society of the United States, discusses how to keep people and their pets together as the COVID crisis deepens.

When you RSVP, you will automatically land on a page with the webinar. 

THLN is looking for enthusiastic, self-motivated individuals to join in our mission to advocate for Texas animals by effecting systemic change. If you’ve got a passion for animals and want to contribute to making a tangible difference in thousands of Texas animal’s lives, volunteer with us and become part of the most powerful statewide network for animals.

With a variety of volunteer opportunities available, you’re bound to find something that suits your interests, talents and schedule.

Please fill out the form linked below to get started, and make sure to check out our upcoming events!

Step 1: Please complete the form below and then click 'Next' to complete your volunteer profile.  PLEASE NOTE: YOUR APPLICATION WILL NOT BE CONSIDERED COMPLETE UNTIL THE VOLUNTEER AGREEMENT HAS BEEN SIGNED ON PAGE 3.