We are pleased to announce our 2024 “Laws for Paws” Symposium in partnership with Texas Unites! 

We’re thrilled to also welcome special guest Chris Green, Executive Director for Animal Legal Defense Fund, as our keynote speaker! 

This symposium is for anyone seeking to gain a more profound knowledge of Texas and federal animal laws and promote positive change for animals.

Sessions will address trending issues such as service dogs. Participants will also learn how to help advance local animal laws and learn about an animal welfare court. The day will end with an exciting moot court presentation for those who testify in animal cruelty cases on behalf of the prosecution.

Classes include updates on service & emotional support animals, the Texas Civil and Criminal Seizure laws, employment issues surrounding shelter professionals and volunteers, trends in federal animal protection laws, updates to the licensed dog & cat breeder law, “Ask an Animal Attorney” and how to pass an animal bill.

Registration deadline was April 5th. Registrations after this date are subject to a $10 late fee. Click here to register!

Laws for Paws has been approved for 7.25 hours of continuing legal education (Texas Bar) and continuing education (DSHS).

This event has passed. Our paws are hard at work for our next upcoming event!
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The Texas Legislature meets every two years, and while the lege is in session, the Texas Humane Legislation Network (THLN) hosts a Humane Lobby Day where animal advocates from across the state meet at the Texas Capitol to lobby their elected officials on important animal welfare bills. The Texas Animal Advocacy Day is an event sponsored by THLN during the interim year, where citizen animal advocates like you gather to learn and practice lobbying for animal protection laws at the state level.

This full-day event includes a lobbying workshop and an overview of relevant bills that THLN plans to support in the 2025 Legislative Session. Our presenters and the agenda were carefully crafted to meet the unique lobbying needs in Texas as we plan to share important information regarding THLN’s work to increase awareness of important animal welfare, safety, and health issues.

It doesn’t matter if you are a seasoned grassroots lobbyist or attending for the first time. When we come together and learn – the animals win!

Join us for a FREE event discussing the 2023 Texas Animal Laws and trends in national animal laws!

Change for animals is happening at an ever-fast pace. Are things getting better or worse? Are all the agents that can effect change for animals efficiently working with legislators? Join THLN Executive Director Shelby Bobosky as she discusses the animal-related laws passed in the recent Texas legislative session and the last federal session. These laws include commercial dog and cat breeding facilities in Texas to determine whether T-N-R programs are considered abandonment under the animal cruelty law to fake service dogs. Shelby will tackle the good, bad, and ugly (whether the right to farm constitutional amendment is helping or hurting our small farms) from the 2023 Lege Texas Session and also tackle important federal law changes for animals, including changes to animal testing. Shelby will also lead a discussion on how attendees can get political for animals and help build a better future for animals.

Please refer to the St. Mary's University map.

Parking pass will be sent via email upon RSVP confirmation.