The Texas Senate Business and Commerce Committee heard testimony Thursday morning on a bill that would prohibit pet stores in the state from selling dogs and cats. The proposed legislation, Senate Bill 1652, aims to address concerns about the welfare of animals sold in pet stores, while also raising questions about the impact on small businesses and the black market. **Background**
* Dallas banned the sale of dogs and cats at pet stores in 2022, resulting in the closure of a local Petland. * There is no statewide law regulating sales from pet stores in Texas. * Animal advocates say there’s a pipeline of puppy mills outside the state that ship young animals into Texas. **Arguments For the Ban**
* Puppy mills generally are known to prioritize profit over animal welfare, with many of these pets suffering from health problems due to poor breeding conditions. * This could leave consumers with unexpected high veterinary costs and unhealthy dogs and cats. * The bill would allow pet stores to provide space for animal control agencies and private nonprofits to showcase dogs and cats for adoption. **Arguments Against the Ban**
* Pet store owners testified that passage of Senate Bill 1652 would force them to close their doors. * They said the legislation targets small business owners instead of bad breeders. * The bill would immediately put them and their families out of business. **Pet Store Owners Weigh In**
| Business Owner | Testimony |
|---|---|
| John Barron-Ethridge, owner of Pet City Houston | “This bill would immediately put me and my family out of business.” |
| David Moreno, owner of Petland in San Antonio | “If the supporters of this legislation are truly seeking to shut down bad breeders, then the legislation should target bad breeders and not legitimate Texas-owned businesses.” |
| Marty Delgado-Peinado, sales operation manager with Pettito in Plano | “Families want a safe, convenient, regulated place to find their dream puppy, not an unvetted online transaction or an unregulated backyard breeder.” |
**Animal Advocates Weigh In**
* Shelby Bobosky, executive director of the Texas Humane Legislation Network and shelter chair for the Dallas Animal Shelter Commission, said, “If you don’t want to get a shelter puppy, you don’t have to. This bill allows choice from local breed clubs. … We’re asking you to support local breeders.”
* She also warned that banning pet sales from pet stores won’t eliminate consumer demand, and that it just goes underground and unregulated. **The Committee’s Decision**
The committee could vote to advance the legislation next week. If it does, it would be a significant step towards addressing concerns about animal welfare in Texas pet stores. However, it also raises questions about the impact on small businesses and the black market. Ultimately, the decision will depend on the committee’s analysis of the pros and cons of the proposed legislation.
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