Despite bipartisan support, Texas lawmakers failed to pass a bill banning pet stores from selling commercially bred puppies, sparking outrage from animal welfare groups and consumers.
At a Glance
- Texas lawmakers failed to pass the Ethical Pet Sales Bill (HB 3458/SB 1652), which aimed to ban puppy mill sales in pet stores.
- The Texas Regulatory Consistency Act previously nullified local pet sales bans in 18 cities, opening the door for more retail stores.
- Investigators recently uncovered 62 neglected dogs and 8 dead dogs at a suspected puppy mill in Bexar County.
- Major chains like Petland continue sourcing from commercial breeders under lax oversight.
- Over 400 U.S. cities and six states have implemented bans; Texas remains a holdout despite growing public support.
Puppy Mill Crisis Reaches a Boiling Point
The horrors of Texas’s unregulated pet trade came into stark focus this spring when authorities rescued 62 neglected dogs and found 8 dead at a suspected puppy mill in south Bexar County. This wasn’t an isolated case—it was the latest example of systemic abuse in a state where weak legislation enables large-scale breeding operations to prioritize profit over welfare.
Efforts to curb these abuses coalesced around the Ethical Pet Sales Bill, which would have banned pet stores from selling puppies sourced from commercial breeders. But despite advancing through committee with bipartisan support, the bill ultimately stalled, failing to meet the session deadline.
Watch a breakdown: Texas Fails to Ban Puppy Mills
State Law Trumps Local Protections
The Texas Regulatory Consistency Act, passed in 2023, overturned local pet sale bans in cities like Austin, San Antonio, and Houston. Since then, at least 14 new pet stores have opened, increasing the state’s total to around 40. Most source puppies from large-scale breeders, raising red flags for animal advocates.
“Petland has become a central player in this resurgence,” said Shelby Bobosky of the Texas Humane Legislation Network, criticizing the company’s ties to high-volume breeding operations often labeled as mills.
Buyer Beware: Sick Pets, Big Costs
For consumers, the financial and emotional costs of buying from pet stores can be devastating. Many discover too late that their new pets suffer from congenital illnesses, infections, or behavioral issues rooted in substandard breeding practices.
Supporters of HB 3458 say the legislation was designed to protect buyers by promoting shelter adoption and ensuring transparency. It would have allowed consumers to still purchase pets from reputable breeders—just not through retail middlemen who mask animal origins.
The National Picture: Texas Falls Behind
More than 400 U.S. cities and six states—including California, New York, and Illinois—have enacted bans on retail pet sales. National chains like PetSmart and Petco have long since pivoted to adoption models. Yet in Texas, the puppy mill industry continues to flourish under political inertia.
Despite public support, the bill’s failure means Texas will remain a haven for commercial breeders and their retail partners—at least until 2025, when advocates vow to reintroduce the legislation.
What’s Next for Texas Pets?
In the absence of statewide action, local advocates are ramping up pressure. Cities like Dallas and El Paso maintain local ordinances and may become models for future reforms. But statewide change will likely require stronger political will and grassroots mobilization to overcome industry resistance.
As Bobosky put it, “We are not giving up.” With renewed energy and high-profile support, 2025 may finally be the year Texas closes the door on puppy mill sales—for good. Until then, the fight continues in courtrooms, city halls, and the Texas Capitol.
