Texas Humane Legislation Network (THLN) - Promoting the humane treatment of animals through legislation, education and advocacy

5.21.13 ~ You can still make a difference! If you haven't contacted your Senator regarding HB 2150 please do so today. Today is the last day we have to protect exotic wild animals in captivity and protect YOU, the citizens of Texas.Call your senator and urge him/her to vote against the suspension of the rules to vote on HB 2150 on the Senate floor. The current legislative session ends May 27th - we are rounding the corner and we'd love finish strong with YOUR help. Thank you and please share!  0 Comment(s) | View on Facebook

5.18.13 ~ What a great campaign, don't you think? We all love adorable pet videos. :) Probably even made a few ourselves...ahem...  7 Comment(s) | View on Facebook

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5.15.13 ~ YOUR HELP IS URGENTLY NEEDED TO KILL SB 1395 AND KEEP TEXAS SAFE FROM DANGEROUS WILD ANIMALSBILL: SB 1395 THLN: OPPOSE ACTION: ASKING MEMBERS OF THE HOUSE CALENDARS COMMITTEE, "DO NOT SET SB 1395 FOR A FLOOR VOTE."Action Needed: SB 1395 is presently in the House Calendars Committee, and we need to stop it from progressing further. PLEASE ACT TODAY by calling, writing, faxing, and emailing the following House Calendars committee member below and ask him or her to "Keep SB 1395 off the house floor for a vote." Please call the following offices and make your voice heard: Rep. Todd Hunter, Chair, (512) 463-0672, todd.hunter@house.state.tx.us Rep. Roberto Alonzo, (512) 463-0408, roberto.alonzo@house.state.tx.us Rep. Carol Alvarado, (512) 463-0732, carol.alvarado@house.state.tx.us Rep. Dan Branch, (512) 463-0367, dan.branch@house.state.tx.us Rep. Angie Chen Button, (512) 463-0486, angie.button@house.state.tx.us Rep. Byron Cook, (512) 463-0730, byron.cook@house.state.tx.us Rep. Myra Crownover, (512) 463-0582, myra.crownover@house.state.tx.us Rep. Sarah Davis, (512) 463-0389, sarah.davis@house.state.tx.us Rep. Craig Eiland (512) 463-0502, craig.eiland@house.state.tx.us Rep. John Frullo (512) 463-0676, john.frullo@house.state.tx.us Rep. Charlie Geren (512) 463-0610, charlie.geren@house.state.tx.us Rep. Helen Giddings (512) 463-0953, helen.giddings@house.state.tx.us EXPLAIN YOUR SAFETY CONCERNS in your communications to them: The existing DWAA requires the owner to register the animal with the local animal control authority and send a copy of the registration certificate to the Texas Department of State Health Services. If SB 1395 passes: 1) It will exempt nearly every facility where the vast majority of these dangerous wild animals are kept. 2) No inspections of these facilities will be required to verify that these animals are humanely cared for and kept in a safe environment. 3) These facilities will be "self-governing". It's bad public policy to have private self interest groups oversee themselves, especially when it jeopardizes public safety. Thank you for taking action!  1 Comment(s) | View on Facebook

5.15.13 ~ Great press release from the ASPCA about our no-gassing LAW:ASPCA, THLN Welcome Texas Law Banning Animal Gas ChambersGov. Perry signs bill prohibiting the inhumane use of gas chambers to euthanize animals May 13,2013NEW YORK?The ASPCA® (The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals®) and the Texas Humane Legislation Network (THLN) today commended Texas legislators and Gov. Rick Perry for enacting a new law to prohibit the cruel practice of euthanizing animals via gas chambers. Sponsored by Sen. Kirk Watson (D-14), the new law bans the use of gas chambers and is also designed to protect shelter workers from exposure to dangerous working conditions that stem from the use of carbon monoxide."We applaud Governor Perry for signing this bill into law and for adding Texas to the list of states where gassing is no longer allowed. We mobilized our membership and focused on this legislation in hopes that we would see the day when Texas would end the use of this cruel device," said Deborah Foote, state director of ASPCA Government Relations for Texas. "We are grateful to Senator Watson, the Texas Humane Legislation Network (THLN), and the advocates who have worked so hard to ensure passage of this law."Prior to the enactment of this legislation, the Texas Humane Euthanasia Act allowed for euthanasia to be administered one of two ways: via a sodium pentobarbital injection, also referred to as euthanasia by injection (EBI), or by commercially compressed carbon monoxide gas. This new law will limit the approved methods to injection only, which is more humane than gas as it takes effect faster, acts more reliably and causes less pain and trauma than gas. In gas chambers, animals may suffer extensively and claw to get out of the chamber before succumbing. The ASPCA and THLN successfully worked together in a joint partnership to help pass this bill this session."Now every Texas shelter can give homeless dogs and cats a peaceful end to life," said Shelby Bobosky, vice president of the THLN. "This new law will prevent unnecessary suffering of animals throughout the state, and we thank Texas lawmakers for passing this critical legislation."The ASPCA believes it is critically important that any euthanasia is administered with compassion and care, which gas chambers do not provide. When performed properly, euthanasia by injection of sodium pentobarbital is the safest, most humane method, and the least stressful to the animal. Historically, the lack of access to these drugs has been an issue for shelters that want to transition away from gassing.  9 Comment(s) | View on Facebook

5.11.13 ~ This is a tremendous victory for animals in Texas and a great example of what can be accomplished when Animal Organizations join efforts to help animals !  2 Comment(s) | View on Facebook

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Good News! No, wait - GREAT news!! SB 360, the "no-gassing in shelters" bill has officially become a LAW!Thank you again for your support! We couldn't do it without YOU!

5.12.13 ~ Good News! No, wait - GREAT news!! SB 360, the "no-gassing in shelters" bill has officially become a LAW!Thank you again for your support! We couldn't do it without YOU!  17 Comment(s) | View on Facebook

5.10.13 ~ Good News: Owning a pet, a dog in particular, can help protect you from heart disease! The American Heart Association issued a scientific statement Thursday stating, basically, pets are good for you. Here's an excerpt:"In one of the only randomized controlled studies included in the report, 48 stressed stockbrokers with hypertension were put on medication that lowered their blood pressure, and then researchers divided them into groups. Those in one group were told to adopt a dog or cat. Six months later, the researchers found that when the stockbrokers who had adopted pets were around their new companions, they were markedly calmer in the face of stressful events than the stockbrokers without pets."You can read the full article on the New York Times Well Blog.  8 Comment(s) | View on Facebook

5.10.13 ~ Did you know that it is Be Kind to Animals Week?!? Let's Celebrate! We have a few ideas on how:1. SHARE our page with all your friends to help us grow and spread the word about animal protection legislation. If we all shared the THLN page just once we could reach so many people! 2. Pop over to our website and make a small DONATION to help us get the bills we support passed into LAWS. We appreciate every, single one of you and all you do for the animals of Texas. We enjoy working with you!  2 Comment(s) | View on Facebook

5.12.13 ~ GOOD NEWS: The House passed the bill to ban trade in shark fins yesterday! The bill prohibits the sale, trade, purchase and transportation of shark fins in Texas. It passed the House with an 87-42 vote. Off it goes to be signed in to law!  8 Comment(s) | View on Facebook

5.07.13 ~ WAG the Dog was such a great time! Our Central Texas Chapter and their president Stacy Sutton Kerby did a fantastic job. Doesn't this look like great fun? If you are in one of these photo's say hey! Thanks to Stacy and friends for hosting a wonderful event. Keep your eyes peeled for next year's WAG!  0 Comment(s) | View on Facebook

Wag the Dog
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Texas Humane Legislation Network (THLN) fundraiser at Hanover's Draught House in Pflugerville on May 4, 2013