THLN has worked for decades to educate the public and lawmakers that certain types of animal abusers must be prohibited from possessing animals to prevent further cruelty. For example, people convicted of animal hoarding suffer delusions they are caring for the animals in their possession. In reality, hoarders continually collect anima...
THLN supported HB 2326 – the Release of Non-Native Snakes Law of 2021. Before this law, non-native snakes were brought to Texas by reptile enthusiasts and exotic pet retailers. When some owners released non-native snakes from captivity, those snakes posed a grave danger to Texas native wildlife and ecosystems. The Burmese python (Pytho...
In 2021, the Texas Legislature passed SB 197, exempting animal rescue organizations from paying sales tax on adoption fees. Previously, only nonprofit animal welfare organizations operating out of physical facilities qualified for the sales tax exemption. Because this was confusing and unfair, THLN advocated updating the tax code so t...
Specially trained dogs, known as facility dogs, assist vulnerable victims in courtrooms and legal proceedings across the country. Before 2021, however, Texas did not have a law explicitly allowing these highly trained canines to assist victims testifying in Texas state courthouses. THLN was proud to promote and testify in support of HB...
In 2021, THLN helped pass HB 604, which requires animal control agencies and animal welfare organizations to scan the pets they handle for microchips. If the animal is chipped, the registered owner is contacted so they can reclaim their pet as soon as possible. The purpose of the law is to keep families together, save taxpayers money a...
A New Law with a Fatal Flaw Governor Rick Perry signed HB 1411, the “Unlawful Restraint of Dog” bill, requiring dog owners to restrain dogs with collars “constructed of nylon, leather, or similar material, specifically designed to be used for a dog” and tethers long enough to allow the dog to move about. The law didn’t affect ...
GET YOUR LICENSE PLATE Thanks largely to THLN, this law (HB 3250, passed 1997) created a new "animal-friendly" fund through the sale of special motor vehicle license plates. Proceeds from the fund provide free and low-cost dog & cat spay/neutering to programs across the state. The $3M allocated to the fund to date has resulted in t...
We have good news to share as we head into the 2021 Texas Legislative Session. While the Session convened just yesterday, we have spent the interim period since the last Session working to ensure that the Texas Sunset Commission did not vote to abolish the Texas Licensed Breeders Program. As the Sunset review process began, THLN hope...
Animal cruelty is not just about animals. The heinous abuse of companion animals occurs in family violence situations, criminal enterprises, and in local neighborhoods. The link between animal abuse and human violence is real, and our society suffers when animals suffer.
Laws and local ordinances are useless unless they are enforceable. Previously, municipal enforcement of violations of animal care and treatment ordinances usually required cities to follow the same procedures as those for violations of criminal laws.
