Be the Change for Vulnerable Animals—How Your Advocacy Can Shape Their Future

When you’re passionate about a cause, a trip to the Texas State Capitol to speak with legislators becomes an unforgettable experience. Just entering the building brings a state of awe. And when others who support your cause gather to talk strategy and present talking points, the enthusiasm runs rampant.

Such was the environment when SPCA of Texas employees and volunteers, and hundreds of other animal lovers from around the state, gathered in Austin in late March for “Humane Lobby Day.” The day was well organized by the Texas Humane Legislation Network (THLN), who gave advocates the tools to effectively engage with lawmakers on the most pressing animal welfare bills before the Legislature.

Humane Lobby Day participants gathered in the Capitol auditorium to receive fact sheets about various humane bills and hear from authors of some of the bills. Their enthusiasm and dedication to the welfare of animals in our state was infectious and very much appreciated.

Priorities for the 2025 Lobby Day were the Veterinary Telemedicine Bill (HB3364) and the Ethical Pet Sales Bill (HB 3458). HB3364 would allow pet owners to meet with veterinarians virtually rather than in person for their first appointment. (Fifty-one counties in Texas do not have a single veterinary clinic.)

HB3458 would help end cruel puppy mill practices and protect both pets and consumers by requiring that only healthy animals sourced from shelters and rescues be sold in retail pet stores. (Currently, many retail pet stores source their puppies and kittens from unscrupulous, out-of-state puppy mills.)

SPCA of Texas Senior Manager of People + Culture Shelby Brandt participated in Humane Lobby Day for the first time this year.

“This was my first time attending Humane Lobby Day with THLN, and it was an unforgettable experience,” she said. “The energy in the capitol was electric, with passionate advocates coming together for a common cause. Connecting with organizations like Best Friends Animal Society, Yaqui Animal Rescue, San Antonio Feral Cat Coalition, Dallas PetsAlive!, and the City of Allen Animal Shelter reinforced how deeply we all are connected through our shared mission.

“Our voices truly matter,” Brandt continued. “Animals can’t tell us when they’re in pain, when they’re suffering, or when they need help. That’s why it’s up to us to advocate for them. Speaking up for animals is a bipartisan effort— compassion knows no political party. Every pet is connected to a person, and the laws that are passed don’t just protect animals; they strengthen families, communities, and the bond we share with them.”

Armed with facts, personal stories and more determination than can be measured, groups of advocates took off to hold scheduled meetings with legislators from their districts and beyond. Oftentimes meetings were with legislative staff members, but that’s okay. These congressional staffers listened intently to the facts and anecdotes rescue volunteers and employees shared about receiving and caring for pets whose owners could not afford vet visits or lived too far away from a veterinarian’s office to get immediate care for a sick animal. Advocates shared the facts about the Veterinary Telemedicine Bill and encouraged the legislator’s support of it.

Legislators and staff also met with constituents who had purchased an expensive puppy from a pet store, only to learn that the new pet was terribly ill. Advocates explained that supporting the Ethical Pet Sales Bill would help put an end to cruel puppy mill practices and protect both pets and consumers by requiring that only healthy animals sourced from shelters and rescues be sold in retail pet stores. (Only one of the top 25 retailers still sells dogs from unscrupulous, out-of-state puppy mills.)

“I had the honor of meeting the authors of key bills, personally thanking my representatives for their support, and sharing upcoming bills that they had not heard about,” Brandt noted. “I learned that many times these conversations are the first time a legislator hears about a specific bill or issue, and that simple exchange can turn them into another advocate for animals.”

In mid-April, SPCA of Texas Chief Investigator, Animal Cruelty Investigations Unit Courtney Burns, CAWA, testified in support of “An Act relating to increasing the criminal penalty for certain conduct constituting the offense of dog fighting or the offense of cockfighting (HB 1795) in front of the Committee on Criminal Jurisprudence.

“Over the past decade, the SPCA of Texas has partnered with law enforcement on dozens of animal fighting busts across North Texas,” Burns said. “These investigations have uncovered hundreds of suffering animals and led to numerous arrests. Just two weeks ago, in Hunt County, we seized 65 live and 10 dead roosters from an active cockfight. We also found syringes, narcotics and evidence of illegal gambling. Sadly, this is not the exception. It is the rule.

“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,” Burns explained. “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.”

HB 1795 was approved by the Committee and has been sent to legislators’ calendars.

Approved by the Agriculture & Livestock House Committee, HB 3364—establishment of a veterinarian-client-patient relationship and to the practice of veterinary medicine by telephone or electronic means—has been sent to legislators’ calendars.

Although approved by the House Committee on Trade, Workforce & Economic Development Committee, HB 3458 failed to receive a vote on the House floor. In the Senate Committee on Business and Commerce, in spite of powerful testimony from constituents and animal advocates, and personal efforts from supportive Senators, the bipartisan bill was left pending.

Regarding the unfortunate outcome of HB 3458, THLN Executive Director Shelby Bobosky said, “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.

“Despite overwhelming support and a 10–1 Committee vote, the Ethical Pet Sales Bill stalled. It never made it to a House floor vote and was left pending in the Senate, despite strong advocacy from constituents and Senators.

“Failing to pass the Ethical Pet Sales Bill signals that cruelty and consumer fraud will be allowed to continue in Texas unchecked. For two sessions, Texas led on animal welfare, passing landmark reforms. But this year, we stepped backward. Texas can and must do better.”

Hear more from Shelby Bobosky on the SPCA of Texas latest “Paws & Purpose” podcast here: https://youtu.be/bJgYzT7Mvdc

by Becky Adamietz-Deo