Pet Advocacy Network Applauds Texas Lawmakers For Rejecting Proposed Pet Sale Ban

(PRESS RELEASE) ALEXANDRIA, VA — The Texas legislature declined to advance SB 1652, which would have prohibited Texas pet stores from selling dogs and cats sourced from professional breeders, no matter how reputable. That includes top-quality, professional breeders with show champions and advanced health certifications.

The Pet Advocacy Network (PAN), the policy voice of the responsible pet care community, provided expert testimony against the measure.

“Session after session, Texas lawmakers have repeatedly rejected misguided pet sale bans,” said Ashley Brinkman, director of government affairs. “It’s simply bad policy that would close small businesses while hurting animals and consumers.”

Just last week, the House version (HB 3458) stalled out after failing to make it to a vote on the lower chamber’s floor before the deadline.

“The most outspoken proponent of these laws claims there are 10,000 active puppy mills—a figure that they’ve been using since 2008,” added Brinkman. “Pet sale bans have failed to shut down puppy mills.”

BACKGROUND

PAN asked lawmakers to vote “no” on SB 1652 and HB 3458 to protect puppies, support responsible pet sourcing, and keep Texas families safe from scams and black-market sellers.

Consider:

• Puppy Scams: After California passed a similar law in 2019, the Better Business Bureau reported a staggering 350 percent increase in puppy scams. Families were swindled out of thousands of dollars while searching for the right puppy.
• Hurts Small Business Owners: Pet sale bans have devastating economic impacts on small, local pet stores that cannot compete with the low prices of pet products offered by large chain retailers. Many of these small, family-run businesses are proud to invest heavily in animal welfare protocols and regulatory compliance.
• Bad for Animal Welfare: If Texas truly wants to protect companion animals, the answer isn’t to ban transparent, regulated, brick-and-mortar businesses that serve Texan families every day in their search for their next pet. Rather, the solution is to strengthen enforcement against unlicensed breeding and illegal trade that cause shelter overpopulation and perpetuate animal cruelty.

About the Pet Advocacy Network

The Pet Advocacy Network connects the experience and expertise of the responsible pet care community to lawmakers and governing bodies, advocating for legislative and regulatory priorities at the local, state, federal and international levels. Since 1971, the organization has worked to promote animal well-being and responsible pet ownership, foster environmental stewardship, and ensure access to healthy pets, including small animals, cats, dogs, fish, reptiles, and birds. Pet Advocacy Network members include retailers, companion animal suppliers, manufacturers, wholesale distributors, manufacturers’ representatives, pet hobbyists, and other trade organizations. To learn more, visit www.PetAdvocacy.org.

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