The Ethical Pet Sales Bill — supported by some advocates in Tyler — has died on the legislative floor.
With two weeks left in the legislative session, the Texas Humane Legislation Network (THLN) released a statement following the failure of the Ethical Pet Sales Bill, House Bill 3458/Senate Bill 1652.
“With deep disappointment, we share that the Ethical Pet Sales Bill will not advance this session despite broad bipartisan support and powerful testimony from Texans across the state,” said Shelby Bobosky, Executive Director of THLN.
In the House Committee on Trade, Workforce & Economic Development hearing, supporters of the Ethical Pet Sales Bill outnumbered the opposition, 58-12. The bill was voted out of Committee 10-1 but failed to receive a vote on the House floor. Despite testimony from constituents, animal advocates, and personal efforts from senators, it was left pending in the Senate Business and Commerce Committee.
The Ethical Pet Sales Bill, championed by Rep. Jared Patterson and Dean Sen. Judith Zaffirini, 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,” THLN said.
The organization said the HB 3458/SB 1652 was about consumer protection, community safety, and stopping deception before it starts.
According to Bobosky, without the Ethical Pet Sales Bill, more stores will open.
“In fact, 10 new retail pet stores have opened in Texas in the past 18 months alone, and more are on the way. That means more sick puppies, more victims, and more families deceived,” she said. “Further, local communities can’t act as the Legislature stripped their ability to pass their own ordinances in 2023.”
Despite the failure of the bill passing, the organization is still grateful to the bill authors – Patterson and Zaffirini – as well as other co-authors and co-sponsors who stood with THLN in the fight.
“We also extend heartfelt thanks to the tireless advocates who traveled to the Capitol and contacted their lawmakers every step of the way,” Bobosky said.
The Texas Legislature won’t convene again in regular session until 2027, meaning any renewed efforts to advance the bill will have to wait until then.
“Failing to pass the Ethical Pet Sales Bill signals that cruelty and consumer fraud will be allowed to continue in Texas unchecked,” Bobosky said. “For two sessions, Texas led on animal welfare, passing landmark reforms. But this year, we stepped backward. Texas can and must do better.”
