AUSTIN, TX – Today, November 15, 2024, the Texas Humane Legislation Network (THLN) unveiled the Ethical Pet Sales Bill as its legislative priority for the 89th Legislative Session, beginning January 14, 2025.
“We are excited to announce the Ethical Pet Sales Bill as our legislative priority to stop the puppy mill pipeline into Texas,” said Shelby Bobosky, Executive Director for THLN. “The bill would stop retail pet stores from selling commercially bred puppies and kittens in the Lone Star State.”
Retail pet stores sell puppies sourced from large-scale, out-of-state commercial breeding facilities known as puppy mills. These puppies are from countless litters and shipped over thousands of miles, often arriving dehydrated, sick, and disease-ridden at the retail pet store. Unknowing Texans buy these animals, become attached, and are soon faced with crushing vet bills or the potential death of their new pet because of undisclosed health or living conditions.
Further, these puppies and kittens are sold unaltered, which only exacerbates Texas’ overpopulation problem.
“We have spent the interim talking with former retail pet store employees about the deplorable conditions they witnessed firsthand and have compiled videos about the dark side of retail pet sales. These videos show the deceitful sales tactics stores use to dupe consumers into financial agreements with high interest rates and how they hide where their puppies come from, their living conditions, and health histories,” continued Bobosky. “Dozens of Texans misled by retail pet stores have also shared their tragic stories with us of losing a new puppy, losing thousands of dollars – or both.”
THLN has operated an animal welfare helpline since 2001, and one of the number one complaints year after year is a consumer purchasing a sick or defective pet from a retail pet store.
“Currently, 18 cities across Texas have passed ordinances ending retail pet sales, but a law passed in 2023 prevents any more such ordinances from being passed. Since then, over 10 new pet stores have opened across the state, with two more slated to open in Mansfield and North Richland Hills. It is now up to the Texas Legislature to step in at the state level to promote transparency, consumer protections, and the humane treatment of animals,” concluded Bobosky.
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