Texas Animal Welfare Legislative Wins & Updates from the Texas 2025 Legislative Session

Animal welfare is a big concept, covering not just the physical health  of animals but also their mental and emotional wellbeing. At its heart, animal welfare is about the quality of life an animal experiences—not only freedom from pain or suffering, but also the chance to enjoy positive experiences including companionship, curiosity, and comfort.

Texas animal welfare legislation began with anti-cruelty laws for livestock in 1879, later expanding to protect non-livestock animals such as dogs and cats, and evolving to include laws regulating commercial breeding and fighting.

The Texas Humane Legislation Network (THLN) promotes the humane treatment of animals through legislation, education, and advocacy. Since 1975, THLN has advocated for what’s good for Texas and its animals.

The SPCA of Texas has been concerned about animal welfare since its creation in 1938. In 1984 the organization established the cruelty investigation department to take an active role in investigating animal abuse and cruelty reports. This has involved helping animals in distress ranging from a horse in the bottom of a creek bed and starving livestock, to mistreated dogs and cats, emus, tigers, and more.

The Animal Cruelty Investigations Unit of the SPCA of Texas investigates more than 1,000 reported animal cruelty cases annually, which brings hundreds of vulnerable animals into the shelter each year. Unit personnel work closely with county sheriffs’ offices in North Texas to arrest and prosecute animal abusers.

During the 2025 Texas legislative session, the SPCA of Texas was proud to stand alongside THLN, state legislators, government officials, other animal welfare organizations, and volunteers to advocate for stronger protections for animals across Texas. From testifying in committee hearings to providing data from cruelty investigations, SPCA of Texas leaders helped lawmakers understand the urgent need for reform.

It’s important to remember to celebrate the victories for vulnerable animals, and also to remember that legislation, as a whole, is a slow process. Moe than 800 bills passed and went into effect on September 1^st. Here’s a brief roundup of what passed, what almost passed, and what’s next.

A New Way to Support Spay & Neuter

Thanks to SB 1568 (by Senator Zaffirini and Representative Curry), Texans will soon have a new specialty license plate featuring the message “Spay, Neuter, Adopt.” Starting September 1, 2025, you can choose this design alongside the classic Animal-Friendly license plate.

Twenty-two ($22) dollars from each plate sold goes into a state fund for low-cost spay/neuter programs, focusing on rural and underserved areas of Texas.

Strengthening Texas Animal Cruelty Laws

HB 285, also called “Pancho’s Law” (by Representatives Ordaz, Leach, Meyer, Moody, and Cook), closes a major loophole in our animal cruelty statute.

Beginning September 1, cruelty cases caused by criminal negligence—such as harm caused by careless trainers, boarders, or groomers—now can be prosecuted. Veterinary professionals acting within their duties remain protected.

“The passing of Pancho’s Law is a victory and I’m excited to see how we’ll be able to make it work for our animal cruelty investigations,” said SPCA of Texas Chief Investigator, Animal Cruelty Investigations Unit Courtney Burns, CAWA. “So many cruelty cases involve trainers and/or boarders—it is a step in the right direction to be able to prosecute their negligence.”

Ending Roadside Pet Sales in Border Counties

HB 2731 (by Representative Muñoz) lets certain counties—including Webb, El Paso, Cameron, and Hidalgo—ban roadside and parking lot sales of dogs and cats.

While the ban didn’t expand statewide, it’s a step in the right direction.

Safety for Animal Control Officers

SB 305 (by Senator Perry) adds animal control vehicles to Texas’ “Move Over or Slow Down” law.

This life-saving measure protects officers working roadside, a change inspired by the tragic 2022 loss of Officer Crystal Goforth and her partner, Jon Corder.

Bills That Didn’t Pass

• Ethical Pet Sales Bill (HB 3458) This Bill would have ended retail pet store sales of cats and dogs to cut off the puppy mill pipeline. Although there was strong support, the Bill missed a final vote.
• Veterinary Telemedicine (HB 3364) This Bill would have allowed virtual vet care without an in-person exam, helping rural and underserved pet owners.
• Bat Protection (SB 1285) This Bill would have required humane removal methods and banned bat exclusions during maternity season.
• Bloodsport Penalty Increases (HB 1795) This Bill sought tougher penalties for those convicted of dog fighting and/or cockfighting.

This bill holds special importance for the SPCA of Texas. Investigator Burns testified in front of the House Committee on Criminal Jurisprudence in support of the legislation. In her testimony Burns told the Committee that “Texas is one of only two states, New York being the other, where breeding, training, and selling dogs for fighting is only a misdemeanor. HB 1795 would change that.”

“Under current law, those who cause animals to fight face a state jail felony. But others, who train and sell animals to fight, face only a Class A misdemeanor, a slap on the wrist,” she told Committee members. “The people who traffic animals for fighting profit tens of thousands of dollars and fuel the international animal fighting industry. A misdemeanor penalty is not an effective deterrent.”

• First Responder Status for Animal Control Officers (HB 3049) This Bill would have given Animal Control Officers better tools, training, and mental health resources.
• Horse-Drawn Carriage Deregulation (HB 5356) This Bill would have removed the ability of local authorities to ban carriages, even in extreme Texas heat.
• Repeal of the Texas Dog or Cat Breeder Act (HB 1817) This Bill would have removed oversight of large-scale breeders, undoing years of progress.

“Change in animal law doesn’t usually happen in giant leaps—it comes in steady, deliberate steps. Even when the progress feels small, each step forward makes a difference in the long run,” Burns noted.

“At the SPCA of Texas, we’re proud to keep working, case by case and session by session, to make sure the laws reflect the protection animals deserve.”

While not every animal welfare bill passed in 2025, the wins achieved this session will make a real difference for Texas animals and the people who care about them.

Chris Luna, JD, President and CEO of the SPCA of Texas, summed it up this way: “The SPCA of Texas is committed to sharing our knowledge and experience with lawmakers and community partners so they understand the real-world impact laws have on animals. By providing expertise and perspective from our daily work, we help ensure that decisions made at the state Capitol reflect the needs of animals and the people who care for them. We are grateful to work alongside partners like the Texas Humane Legislation Network to advance protections for vulnerable animals.”

The next Texas Legislative Session begins Jan. 12, 2027, and runs through May 31^st. We look forward to working hard to protect animals, pets, and the people who care for them in this 90^th Session.