Texas Humane Legislation Network (THLN)

10/16/2026

Thank you to every animal control officer, attorney, shelter professional, volunteer, and passionate animal advocate who joined us for Texas Humane Network's 2026 Laws for Paws Education Conference! 👏

We hope you left feeling informed, inspired, and equipped with new knowledge and tools to make a difference in your communities. Your dedication and commitment are essential to building a safer, more compassionate Texas for animals and the people who care about them.

A special thank-you to all our speakers, keynote speaker John Goodwin with Humane World for Animals, State Representative Nicole Collier & State Representative Ben Bumgarner, and our generous sponsors Texas Unites for Animals and Humane World for Animals for helping make this year’s conference possible!

Thank you for being part of the work to protect animals across Texas.

10/13/2026

THLN is excited to announce our list of animal-friendly candidates running for office in the 2026 General Election!

All endorsements are based on candidates’ records and positions on animal welfare issues, not party affiliation. Endorsements have been issued in both contested and uncontested races.

Visit our website to see which candidates earned our endorsement. Learn more: https://bit.ly/4hEYQbm

10/08/2026

We’re just TWO DAYS away from the 2026 Laws for Paws Education Conference! 👏

A huge THANK YOU to our incredible sponsors: Humane World for Animals & Texas Unites for Animals for helping make this year’s conference possible! Your support allows us to bring together advocates, attorneys, animal welfare professionals, policymakers, and community leaders to learn, connect, and continue fighting for animals across Texas.

And if you haven’t registered yet, there’s still time! Grab your last-minute ticket and join us Friday, October 9, at the Fort Worth Stockyards.

https://texashumanenetwork.org/laws-for-paws-2026/

10/01/2026

We see you. And we know this work takes more than compassion. It takes knowledge, connection, advocacy, and a community of people who understand what it means to keep showing up for animals.

The Texas Humane Network 2026 Laws for Paws Education Conference is a place to learn, connect with fellow animal welfare professionals and advocates, and strengthen the work you’re already doing every day.

📅 October 9, 2026
📍 Fort Worth Stockyards
🎓 5 CLE/CE credits approved

Come for the knowledge. Stay for the community. Leave ready to keep showing up.

Register at www.texashumanenetwork.org/laws-for-paws-2026

09/30/2026

Today is National Puppy Mill Survivor Day, a day to honor the dogs rescued from puppy mills and remember those who left this earth before they ever had the chance to be saved.

Today, we remember Harold. ❤️

Harold was purchased for $7,000 at Dallas Petland and suffered numerous congenital disorders - the kind of suffering tragically common among dogs from puppy mills. Despite everything he endured, he experienced love, joy, and a good quality of life thanks to Patti and Dallas Dog-Rescue.Rehab.Reform.

His story reminds us that behind every puppy mill survivor is a life that deserved so much more.

How many more dogs like Harold must suffer before Texas passes the Ethical Pet Sales bill? Texas has waited long enough. It is time to end the puppy-mill pipeline and pass the bill.

09/29/2026

Your elected officials have voting records, and we have receipts. The deadline to register to vote for the November elections is NEXT WEEK! 🗳️

See how your Texas representatives voted on animal welfare legislation: https://www.thln.org/voting_records

09/25/2026

Thank you, Tyler advocates, for joining us at Unleash Change! 👏

We had an engaged and thoughtful crowd, and we’re so grateful to everyone who showed up, asked questions, shared their experiences, and came ready to make a difference for animals across Texas.

Every city we visit reminds us what’s possible when people come together and use their voices for change. Whether you volunteer at an event, stand with us at the Capitol, respond to an Action Alert, or simply share what you’ve learned with your community, every person who gets involved helps move the movement forward.

Join our advocate community across Texas and help us create meaningful change for animals: https://www.thln.org/join

09/24/2026

Puppy Mill Awareness Day may be over, but we’re far from finished talking about what really happens behind the pet store window.

We took the conversation about the Ethical Pet Sales Bill across Texas, using media interviews to shine a light on deceptive pet sales practices that can leave families with sick puppies, unexpected veterinary bills, and heartbreaking outcomes. These stories aren’t rare. They’re part of a pipeline that puts profit over animal welfare and consumer protection.

A heartfelt thank-you to our Board Member Meera Nandlal for lending her voice, expertise, and compassion to this critical conversation!

09/23/2026

We're thrilled to announce the formation of the Texas Animal Welfare Alliance, a statewide coalition bringing together over 25 animal welfare organizations, municipal animal service agencies, shelters, veterinary professionals, policy experts, and other partners working on behalf of animals throughout Texas.

“Texas has an extraordinary community of organizations working every day to protect animals and support the people who care for them,” said Kolby Monnig, Senior Director of Government Relations for THLN. “The Texas Animal Welfare Alliance gives us a place to bring that knowledge and experience together. By communicating regularly and working collaboratively, we can reduce duplication, strengthen our collective impact, and achieve better outcomes for animals across our state.”

The Texas Animal Welfare Alliance will continue building relationships among organizations in Texas and developing opportunities to share expertise, elevate effective solutions, and advance stronger animal welfare policies.

Learn more: https://www.thln.org/tawa

The Texas Animal Welfare Alliance (TAWA) is a statewide coalition bringing together animal welfare organizations, shelters, animal services agencies, veterinary professionals, and policy experts to collaborate on issues affecting animals across Texas.

09/23/2026

We’re honored to announce that John Goodwin, Senior Managing Director of Puppy Mills and Equine Protection at Humane World for Animals, will be the keynote speaker at this year’s Laws for Paws® Conference hosted by our 501(c)(3) nonprofit, Texas Humane Network!

For more than two decades, John has been on the front lines of the fight to protect animals. Since 2016, he has led the organization’s puppy mills campaign, helping advance policies to end the sale of puppies in pet stores and contributing to a significant decline in commercial breeding operations.

This is your chance to hear from one of the most influential voices in animal welfare and connect with experts on the latest local, state, and federal legislation impacting animals.

🎯 WHO SHOULD ATTEND?
Animal control & city/state staff
Shelter & rescue staff
Legal professionals
Devoted animal advocates

Reserve your spot + see the full speaker lineup here: https://bit.ly/4y7H5qP

Includes Continuing Legal Education (State Bar of Texas) and five (5) Continuing Education (Texas Department of State Health Services) hours, breakfast, lunch, and course materials.