Our goal for animal welfare advocacy is to increase engagement to influence public policy and affect legislation at local and state levels. In 2023, thanks to our advocacy, two key City of Houston ordinances went into effect: mandatory microchipping and the humane pet store ordinance requiring stores to source their pets from shelters and rescues instead of puppy mills.
At the state level, Houston PetSet worked with legislators to pass the Texas Licensed Breeders Act as well as a bill that makes it illegal for someone convicted of animal cruelty to own a pet for 5 years following conviction.
Finally, we hosted the only Mayoral Forum on Animal Welfare at Crime Stoppers of Houston. The top four candidates for Houston Mayor faced a live audience of animal advocates in person and online, all keen on holding Houston’s next Mayor accountable with regard to the stray animal crisis.
