In 2022, I authored a guest commentary for the Express-News describing the inhumane trafficking and sale of puppy-mill dogs in Texas.

Since then, numerous attempts have been made to gain the attention of lawmakers to prohibit retail pet stores from selling puppies and kittens that have endured inhumane breeding conditions.

With continued persistence and unwavering advocacy, the Texas Legislature is now finally considering the ethical pet sales legislation, Senate Bill 1652, authored by state Sen. Judith Zaffirini, D-Laredo, and House Bill 3458, authored by state Rep. Jared Patterson, R-Frisco.

Although similar bills have been introduced in the previous two sessions, they have not made it through the legislative process. In this third effort, the House bill, named the Ethical Pet Sales Bill, has advanced to the full chamber.

Puppy mills turn a profit by breeding and selling puppies, but these puppies are bred in inhumane environments that frequently result in physical and emotional damage. Furthermore, consumers are left with the financial loss and heartbreak that occurs when they unknowingly buy a sick pup from a seemingly sanitary, ethical pet store.

These cruel breeders rely on a pipeline of dog brokers, auctions and transporters to ship their “merchandise” from puppy mills to the cages at pet shops.

Retail pet sales have been banned in six states, with more than 400 cities and counties across the country adopting similar ordinances, according to the Animal Defense League. Here in Texas, 18 cities, including San Antonio, have passed ordinances ending retail pet sales.

Those local ordinances, however, were superseded in 2023 by the Texas Regulatory Consistency Act that, among other things, prevents cities from enacting or enforcing local ordinances that prohibit the sale of puppies and kittens in pet stores.

As a result, 14 new pet stores practicing this horrendous activity have opened around the state, according to the Texas Humane Legislation Network, bringing the total number to around 40.

Petland, a national pet store chain with at least eight stores in Texas, has been singled out as the primary offender and has been linked to multiple cases of sick puppies and outbreaks of disease.

Contrary to false beliefs, the Ethical Pet Sales Bill does not limit consumer choice. It protects consumers. Texans can still find purebred or designer pets through licensed breeders or hobby breeders within the state.

The proposed legislation promotes adoption from shelters and rescue groups where animals are not treated as mere profits.

I urge our lawmakers to pass the Ethical Pet Sales Bill. Please contact your state senator and representative, and encourage them to support this legislation that protects both animals and consumers.

Shamila Behal teaches accounting at Texas A&M University-San Antonio and is an ambassador with the Texas Humane Legislation Network.

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