A pit bull mix named Baby Reina was recently surrendered from Dogtown Ranch and Sanctuary in Rockdale, Texas. A Travis County vet found her malnourished and dehydrated, with worms, fleas and ticks. The report described medical and nutritional needs that had gone unmet for a long time.

Reina's case led to an animal cruelty charge against the sanctuary's owner, who is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court. It also led to the ranch shutting down. All 82 dogs living there were surrendered to the Brandywine Valley SPCA, and some have already been moved to shelters as far away as Pennsylvania.

The warning signs came months earlier. A July 9 investigation at the ranch ended with a recommendation for vet care, not charges. A follow-up checkup in August found Reina severely underweight, with cataracts, dental disease and a healing staph infection. According to the Milam County Sheriff's Office, no known treatment followed before her surrender.

Texas does not license animal rescues or sanctuaries at the state level. A facility can house dozens of animals with no required standards of care and no routine inspections. And when officials do step in, nothing makes sure a recommendation for vet care is actually carried out.

The Texas Legislature can close this gap. Lawmakers should require every rescue and sanctuary in the state to hold a license, meet basic standards for food, shelter and medical care, and pass regular inspections. When an inspection finds a problem, a documented follow-up visit should be required.

People give their time and money to rescues because they trust the animals are safe. Clear rules protect those animals and the many rescues already doing this work the right way.

Sign the petition to tell the Texas Legislature to license and inspect animal rescues before another sanctuary fails the dogs it promised to protect.