May 18, 2021
https://www.akc.org/legislative-alerts/tx-action-update-akc-supported-substitute-pet-store-bill-adopted-senate-committee-express-support-cshb-1818-today/
Today, the Texas Senate Business and Commerce Committee adopted a substitute to
House Bill 1818.
Originally and as passed by the Texas House, HB 1818 would have limited the
sources of dogs and cats sold by certain Texas pet stores to only those sourced
from animal control agencies, animal shelters, and animal rescue organizations.
The American Kennel Club (AKC) strongly opposed that version of HB 1818.
The substitute adopted by the Senate Business and Commerce Committee today
provides that pet stores may also source dogs and cats from qualified breeders.
Qualified breeders are either:
(1) Texas breeders licensed under the state’s Dog or Cat Breeders Act (Act).
or
(2) breeders located in other states that meet the standards for breeders under
the Act; hold a license in the state they are located (if required); and hold
an appropriate license, or be exempt from licensing, by the USDA under the
federal Animal Welfare Act (AWA).
Additionally, the substitute would require pet stores to obtain certain
assurances from qualified breeders, including care certifications and proof of
licensure. Pet stores would also be restricted from obtaining dogs or cats from
a qualified breeder if during the preceding four years the breeder’s AWA
inspection reports contain a direct or critical violation, a direct no-access
violation, or at least three indirect or non-critical violations related to the
health and welfare of an animal (not administrative).
The committee substitute also requires pet stores to maintain certain records
and make them available for inspection by an animal control agency or other
governmental entity, and to post public signage on the enclosure of each dog or
cat for sale that displays the name of the source of the animal.
Pets stores that violate requirements would be subject to civil penalties of up
to $500 for each dog or cat sold.
AKC and other allied organizations have actively advocated for a more
reasonable approach to address the operation of pet stores than HB 1818’s
severe provisions, as originally proposed and as passed by the Texas House.
AKC believes that the committee substitute adopted today is reasonable, and
will better ensure that dogs and cats sold by Texas pet stores are sourced
humanely and treated appropriately.
WHAT’S NEXT: The new version of HB 1818 is expected to be finally voted on by
the Senate Business and Commerce Committee at its next meeting, which his
expected to be held on Thursday, May 20, 2021. It is imperative that Texas
breeders and owners contact the members of the Senate Business and Commerce
Committee and respectfully urge “support of Committee Substitute House Bill
1818”.
If approved, the bill will then be sent to the full Senate for a vote.
AKC Government Relations (GR) will continue to provide updates to HB 1818 as
developments warrant. For more information on HB 1818 or any other pending
Texas legislation, contact AKC GR at doglaw@xxxxxxx.
Take Action now!
Stormy Hope
LLARTC
NAIATrust, Trustee
NAIATrust-CA on Facebook!
GSDCA Legislative Liaison to AKC
California Responsible Pet
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