Today, a procedural move allowed the Texas Senate Business and Commerce Committee to consider a bill that would restrict consumer protection and restrict pet choice by banning the retail sale of pets in pet stores.
Senate Bill 1652 is now pending a vote by the committee. The American Kennel Club (AKC) opposes SB 1652 and encourages all concerned Texas residents to contact the committee and share your concerns about how this bill could harm responsible breeders and limit consumer choice. A statewide ban on the retail sale of pets claiming to improve animal welfare would ironically drive an increase in the trafficking of unhealthy pets to consumers.
See our previous alert on companion House Bill 3458 for talking points, and visit our key issue page in the AKC Legislative Action Center for more information on this issue.
Contact the Senate Business and Commerce Committee:
Chair Charles Schwertner – Charles.Schwertner@senate.texas.gov
Senator Phil King – phil.king@senate.texas.gov
Senator César Bianco – cesar.blanco@senate.texas.gov
Senator Donna Campbell – donna.campbell@senate.texas.gov
Senator Brandon Creighton – brandon.creighton@senate.texas.gov
Senator Nathan Johnson – nathan.johnson@senate.texas.gov
Senator Lois W. Kolkhorst – lois.kolkhorst@senate.texas.gov
Senator José Menéndez -jose.menendez@senate.texas.gov
Senator Mayes Middleton – mayes.middleton@senate.texas.gov
Senator Robert Nichols – robert.nichols@senate.texas.gov
Senator Judith Zaffrini – judith.zaffirini@senate.texas.gov
The American Kennel Club (AKC) is committed to protecting the rights of responsible dog owners and breeders. We believe in promoting reasonable laws that support animal welfare without penalizing ethical breeders or limiting consumer choice.
For more information or for more updates on Texas legislation, please contact AKC Government Relations at doglaw@akc.org.