The Texas Sunset Commission (TSC) voted to maintain the Licensed Breeders Program under the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation after a prolonged and challenging review cycle due to COVID-19.
Over the past few months, the Texas Humane Legislation Network (THLN) ran a letter-writing campaign to raise awareness about the program. By the time the vote was taken, Texans had sent over 8,700 letters to legislators in support of the program.
“Maintaining the Licensed Breeders Program is a huge win for animals and consumers across Texas,” said Shelby Bobosky, Executive Director of the THLN. “The Program is essential to stopping cruel and unethical puppy mill practices and it will be allowed to continue thanks to the members of the Sunset Commission.”
In 2011, THLN helped establish and implement the Licensed Breeders Program to provide state oversight on breeders in Texas, many of whom operate outside of broad USDA regulations. The program establishes basic standards of care in large-scale breeding facilities and prevents animal cruelty by allowing the state to inspect breeding facilities before opening and to conduct out-of-cycle inspections. The program also prevents bad actors with animal cruelty charges from legally running a commercial breeding operation.
“We are so thankful for all of the people who took action in support of the Licensed Breeders Program,” said Bobosky. “Our advocates’ efforts undoubtedly helped save the program, and the lives of thousands of animals in the process.”
For more information on THLN's work to maintain the Texas Licensed Breeders Program or to schedule an interview with THLN, please contact Cara Gustafson at 561-797-8267 or cara@publicblueprint.com.