May 20, 2021
Dear Members & Supporters,
The Texas stronghold for animal agriculture that we’ve counted on in the Texas State House has, unfortunately, weakened. Sadly, this 87th Texas Legislative Session has demonstrated that fact.
In March we learned that 8 out of 10 members of the Texas House Agriculture Committee was endorsed by the Texas Humane Legislative Network, the Texas state-wide animal rights group that actively trolls the state capitol pushing animal rights legislation. We learned this first had as the Working Animal Protection Act (HB543) was heard in that Committee on March 18th, 2021 and proceeded to go no where. It didn’t take much effort to learn what was truly happening.
So, if the Texas House Agriculture Committee has been overcome by the radical animal rights persuasion, you can bet the rest of the Texas legislature has been compromised.
This evening, I am writing to you with another request to send letters. This time, we need emails directed to the full Texas Senate body. We’ve made it easy for you, though. Simply click the tab below and your email is all set to be sent to all 31 Texas Senators.
The bill we need your help opposing is HB1818, originally written as the standard HSUS pet sale ban, or rescue mandate, for Texas pet stores. However, there is a Committee Substitute which was agreed upon in the Senate Business & Commerce Committee yesterday.
The Committee substitute allows for USDA licensed pet breeders to continue to sell to pet stores, but prohibits any USDA licensee with one direct violation from USDA from selling to pet stores.
Now, this may sound “reasonable” to some… however, given the fact that Tom Vilsack is the Secretary of USDA, again, and during his eight years serving as the Secretary of USDA under Obama, Tom Vilsack’s USDA inspectors were very adversarial and administered penalties that were inconsistent with the law during that time. We remember all too well. And, we anticipate similar overreach from USDA in the months and years to come.
So, to agree to the Committee Substitute for HB1818 and prohibit USDA licensed dog and cat breeders from selling to pet stores who have one direct non-compliance is truly falling into the incremental animal rights trap!!
Please send a strong email message to all members of the Texas Senate and tell them to VOTE NO on HB1818.
Please change up the boiler-plate letter provided and make it your own!
Faithfully yours,
Mindy Patterson
President’
The Cavalry Group
| Email the Texas Senate! |
