On November 15, 2024, the Texas Humane Legislation Network (THLN) announced the Ethical Pet Sales Bill as its key legislative priority for the 89th Legislative Session, which begins January 14, 2025.
The bill aims to ban retail pet stores in Texas from selling puppies and kittens sourced from commercial breeding facilities, commonly known as puppy mills. Shelby Bobosky, Executive Director of THLN, expressed strong support for the initiative, emphasizing the bill’s role in halting the flow of unhealthy animals into the state.
Retail stores often sell puppies bred in large-scale out-of-state facilities, resulting in animals that are often sick, dehydrated, and under socialized. Many of these pets arrive at stores with undisclosed health issues, leading to expensive veterinary bills or, in some cases, the death of the pet. Additionally, the bill seeks to address the state’s growing pet overpopulation by preventing the sale of unaltered animals.
“We have spent the interim talking with former retail pet store employees about the deplorable conditions they witnessed firsthand,” Bobosky stated. “We’ve compiled videos showing deceitful sales tactics and the heartbreaking experiences of consumers who purchased sick or defective pets.”
Despite efforts at the local level, including 18 cities in Texas that have passed ordinances to ban pet sales in retail stores, the passage of a 2023 law prevents more cities from enacting such ordinances. Bobosky emphasized that it is now up to the Texas Legislature to enact a statewide law that protects both consumers and animals.
Over 10 new pet stores have opened since the 2023 law was enacted, with two more planned in Mansfield and North Richland Hills. THLN is hopeful that the upcoming legislative session will address these concerns and promote humane treatment and consumer protections.
