Senate committee hears hours of testimony on bill that would bar retail sale of dogs and cats

Senate Committee on Business & Commerce members heard more than three hours of public testimony on Senate Bill 16 52, a proposal that would prohibit retail pet stores from selling dogs and cats and establish civil penalties for violations. Supporters, including animal-welfare groups and several city animal-services officials, told the committee the bill would shut a pipeline that brings animals from large commercial breeders into stores and, they said, into taxpayer-funded shelters. Opponents — independent and franchised pet-store owners and trade groups — said the bill would punish legitimate Texas businesses, limit consumer choice and push buyers to unregulated online or backyard sources.

The bill matters because, supporters said, thousands of Texas consumers report buying sick or misrepresented puppies from stores; opponents said stronger regulation, not a ban, is the better fix. Proponents noted local ordinances such as San Antonio’s 2020 restriction and a 2023 state breeder licensing program; opponents pointed to earlier compromise legislation they said already improves sourcing transparency.

Senator (sponsor information not specified in transcript) described the committee substitute as narrowing the measure’s scope and adjusting dates. Under the committee substitute explained in the hearing, the bill would: prohibit retail sales of…