May 29, 2025

AUSTIN, TX – On May 24, Governor Greg Abbott signed Senate Bill 1568/House Bill 3832 by Dean Senator Judith Zaffirini (D-Laredo) and Representative Pat Curry (R-Waco) into law. Championed by the Texas Humane Legislation Network (THLN), this legislation strengthens Texas’ Animal-Friendly License Plate Program to generate increased funding for spay and neuter programs statewide.

“This law will provide vital resources to expand access to affordable spay and neuter services across Texas, helping communities better manage pet populations while easing the burden on overcrowded shelters and rescue organizations,” said Shelby Bobosky, Executive Director of THLN. “We are deeply grateful to Dean Senator Zaffirini and Representative Curry for their commitment to improving animal welfare across Texas."

The Animal-Friendly License Plate Program, originally established in 1997 through legislation passed by THLN, allows Texans to purchase a specialty license plate for $30. Of that amount, $22 directly supports spay and neuter initiatives through the Animal-Friendly Fund administered by the Department of State Health Services (DSHS).

SB 1568 allows DSHS to diversify plate design options to boost public interest and increase funding. The first redesign, “Spay. Neuter. Adopt.”, will offer Texans an easy way to support Texas pets.

“This program was created to combat Texas’ severe pet overpopulation crisis, which once led to the euthanasia of more than half a million animals annually at enormous financial and emotional cost,” Bobosky added. “SB 1568 strengthens that mission by giving Texans more ways to participate and more communities access to critical spay and neuter services.”

The law takes effect on September 1, 2025.

For more information or to schedule an interview, please contact Cara Gustafson at 561-797-8267 or [email protected]. 

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