I began a sugar glider rescue in Texas, and since 2021, we have taken in over 300 sugar gliders. Despite our efforts, breeders continue to sell baby sugar gliders, animals that can live up to 15 years but often face a life of uncertainty, moving from home to home. This heartbreaking cycle is not exclusive to sugar gliders but affects all animals, especially those with a lifespan exceeding five years. With shelters across the country overwhelmed and underfunded, I believe it is time for decisive action to ensure that animals in need can find loving homes rather than face euthanasia due to overcrowding.

"Adopt, don't shop" is a noble mantra, yet it seems insufficient in curbing the relentless tide of homeless animals. Breeders continue to unrelentingly supply new animals, escalating the crisis and putting an unsustainable strain on rescue facilities. Each year, millions of pets are euthanized in shelters simply because there is not enough space or resources to care for them all. This is an unacceptable tragedy that can be prevented.

To tackle this dire situation, I propose making it illegal to breed pets without proper licensing, starting in Texas. By instituting such a law, we can give priority to animals currently in need of homes, ensuring they find the loving families they deserve. This legislative change could drastically reduce the number of animals entering shelters and give existing shelter populations the opportunity to be adopted.

Across the nation, animal shelters and rescue organizations are fighting to save as many lives as possible, often with limited resources and overwhelmed staff. Reducing breeding would significantly assist these organizations in managing the population effectively and providing better care to the animals in their charge. Action is critical to prevent unnecessary euthanasia and to promote more humane treatment of animals in our society.

Let us take a stand for those without a voice and create a compassionate future for all animals. Please sign this petition to urge lawmakers to ban breeding animal pets in Texas without a thorough licencing process, and to support shelters in their life-saving missions. Together, we can make a meaningful difference and ensure that "adopt, don't shop" becomes more than just a slogan—it becomes a reality.