Latest news with #EthicalPetSalesBill
Yahoo
22-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Texas bill to ban pet store 'puppy mill' sales doomed after missing deadline, say supporters
Supporters of legislation that would have effectively banned the sale of "puppy mill" dogs and cats have admitted defeat as the 140-day legislative session hurtles toward final adjournment June 2. The twin pieces of legislation, House Bill 3458 by North Texas Republican state Rep. Jared Patterson and Senate Bill 1652 by South Texas Democratic Sen. Judith Zaffirini, were among scores of proposals that on one hand enjoyed bipartisan support but on the other could not overcome the deadlines in place to reach the finish line. The measures would have ended the retail sale of puppies and kittens in pet stores across Texas, cutting off a key supply line for out-of-state puppy mills that profit from inhumane breeding practices. 'Failing to pass the Ethical Pet Sales Bill signals that cruelty and consumer fraud will be allowed to continue in Texas unchecked,' said Shelby Bobosky, executive director of the Texas Humane Legislation Network. "For two sessions, Texas led on animal welfare, passing landmark reforms. But this year, we stepped backward. Texas can and must do better." Several large cities, including Austin, San Antonio and Houston, have ordinances governing the sale of puppies and kittens within their boundaries. Two years ago, legislation that would have imposed pet store regulations across the state stalled. Instead, a measure that curtailed local governmental entities from enacting a wide range of regulatory ordinances — including those aimed at pet stores — was signed into law by Gov. Greg Abbott. The law did not strike down pet store ordinances already on the books, but it prevents other local governments from imposing similar measures. This article originally appeared on Austin American-Statesman: Texas bill to ban pet store 'puppy mill' sales is doomed: supporters
Yahoo
22-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Texas bill to ban pet store 'puppy mill' sales doomed after missing deadline, say supporters
Supporters of legislation that would have effectively banned the sale of "puppy mill" dogs and cats have admitted defeat as the 140-day legislative session hurtles toward final adjournment June 2. The twin pieces of legislation, House Bill 3458 by North Texas Republican state Rep. Jared Patterson and Senate Bill 1652 by South Texas Democratic Sen. Judith Zaffirini, were among scores of proposals that on one hand enjoyed bipartisan support but on the other could not overcome the deadlines in place to reach the finish line. The measures would have ended the retail sale of puppies and kittens in pet stores across Texas, cutting off a key supply line for out-of-state puppy mills that profit from inhumane breeding practices. 'Failing to pass the Ethical Pet Sales Bill signals that cruelty and consumer fraud will be allowed to continue in Texas unchecked,' said Shelby Bobosky, executive director of the Texas Humane Legislation Network. "For two sessions, Texas led on animal welfare, passing landmark reforms. But this year, we stepped backward. Texas can and must do better." Several large cities, including Austin, San Antonio and Houston, have ordinances governing the sale of puppies and kittens within their boundaries. Two years ago, legislation that would have imposed pet store regulations across the state stalled. Instead, a measure that curtailed local governmental entities from enacting a wide range of regulatory ordinances — including those aimed at pet stores — was signed into law by Gov. Greg Abbott. The law did not strike down pet store ordinances already on the books, but it prevents other local governments from imposing similar measures. This article originally appeared on Austin American-Statesman: Texas bill to ban pet store 'puppy mill' sales is doomed: supporters
Yahoo
27-02-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Texas lawmaker files bill aiming to end retail pet sales in state, targeting puppy mills
AUSTIN (KXAN) – A Texas state senator filed a bill to ban the retail sales of dogs and cats to address overcrowding at animal shelters and discourage the practice of purchasing animals from puppy mills. Dean Senator Judith Zaffirini (D-Laredo) filed Senate Bill 1652, the Ethical Pet Sales Bill, to promote responsible breeding practices and reduce the number of families unknowingly purchasing unwell animals. If passed, lawmakers hope it would reduce the number of dogs coming into the state from puppy mills, where dogs are commercially bred to maximize profit, sacrificing the animal's health. 'These animals are raised and transported in deplorable conditions. They arrive in Texas – a lot of times – sick and defective,' said Randy Turner, an attorney and board member with the Texas Humane Legislation Network. 'This bill will require retail pet stores to source their animals from city animal shelters and from rescue groups, which will put an end to this terrible puppy mill pipeline,' he continued. The bill has bipartisan support with three Republican and three Democratic state senators cosigning the legislation. Turner said there was an attempt to pass a similar bill in 2023 but that it was killed before it could be signed into law. 'Everybody knows that we need to do something about this terrible problem,' Turner said. 'There's virtually no regulation of these puppy mills –no effective regulation – that would do anything to stop this problem. That's why we need this bill so badly.' Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
