Incidents of interpersonal violence are reportedly rising as a disturbing consequence of stay-at home orders and recommendations to combat the COVID-19 pandemic. In this "Introduction to the Link" webinar, special guest Felicia Kerney, Chief of the Community Prosecution Unit, Dallas County District Attorney’s Office, will be discussing the Link and understanding of the dynamic connection between animal abuse and the cycle of family and societal violence while looking at real Texas cases.  We will also dissect how animal abuse interfaces with child, domestic and elder abuse. 

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Under Texas law and the federal Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), people with disabilities may bring their service animals to all public accommodations, such as government buildings, hotels, restaurants, stadiums, and stores. These laws also require those who operate transportation services to allow service animals. But recent trends show confusion with emotional support animals and the varying definitions.

Animal Law Expert and Animal Lawyer Randy Turner will present on service animals and emotional support animals as defined by federal laws and supporting state laws. This one hour webinar will examine how cities and municipalities can follow federal and state laws in accordance with handling these animals and how to avoid the pitfalls in applying these laws in their own cities.

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Check out this webinar to hear from Mindi Callison, Executive Director, of Bailing Out Benji. Mindi will discuss all things puppy mills and focus on the ABCs of puppy mills, why regulating puppy mills is important, and why Texas is unique in terms of selling puppies from puppy mills in other states. Learn what we need to do now as advocates to help protect dogs currently in large-scale breeding facilities in Texas.

Mindi Callison is the Founder and Executive Director of the National nonprofit organization, Bailing Out Benji which focuses on the grassroots effort to combat the puppy mill industry. Mindi founded Bailing Out Benji at 21 years old after falling victim to the puppy mill industry by way of a local pet store, which offered her a credit card with high interest. Upon learning about the pet store/puppy mill connection and learning about the predatory lending practices that these stores utilize to take advantage of low-income families, Mindi knew that she needed to act. Bailing Out Benji and its research has been instrumental in passing humane ordinances across the country, they have also been one of the driving forces behind exposing the national puppy laundering scheme that is currently happening in numerous states.

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Under Texas law, animals seized as evidence under the Texas Penal Code may be held for long periods of time while the arrested violator’s criminal trial makes its way through the justice system. Many don't know about the civil seizure law wherein abused animals can be seized under the Texas Health and Safety Code, which carries less of a burden of proof, no arrest, and allows the animals' disposition within a ten-day period, pending any appeals. In this webinar, learn all about the Texas civil seizure law, when to use it and how it is a great alternative in removing cruelly treated animals. 

Animal lawyer and animal law expert Lara Tomlin is an appellate attorney at the Denton County District Attorney's office. She is board certified in Criminal Appellate Law and handles animal-related cases, including seizure hearings for cruelly treated animals. She has also served on the Denton Animal Support Foundation board of directors, an organization that supports the Denton Animal Shelter. 

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THLN Executive Director, Shelby Bobosky, along with special guests Jaime Olin, THLN Legislative Chair, Monica Ailey, AIR President, and Lauren Loney, HSUS Texas State Director discuss navigating the legal landscape of large-scale breeding facilities in Texas. This webinar will include basic information on puppy mills, what led to the passage of the Texas Dog & Cat Breeder Act, and how you can help preserve it. 

Whether you simply want to educate yourself on puppy mills or understand the Breeders Program better, THLN needs your help to achieve justice for dogs and cats in large-scale breeding facilities!

When you RSVP, you will automatically land on a page with the webinar.  

THLN is looking for enthusiastic, self-motivated individuals to join in our mission to advocate for Texas animals by effecting systemic change. If you’ve got a passion for animals and want to contribute to making a tangible difference in thousands of Texas animal’s lives, volunteer with us and become part of the most powerful statewide network for animals.

With a variety of volunteer opportunities available, you’re bound to find something that suits your interests, talents and schedule.

Please fill out the form linked below to get started, and make sure to check out our upcoming events!

Step 1: Please complete the form below and then click 'Next' to answer some questions about where you would most like to help us.  PLEASE NOTE: YOUR APPLICATION WILL NOT BE CONSIDERED COMPLETE UNTIL THE QUESTIONS HAVE BEEN ANSWERED.

Do you want your child to know more about the legislative process while teaching kindness and empathy? THLN is proud to host this FREE webinar entitled, "How Kids Can Get Political for Animals!" This webinar will discuss laws that protect animals in Texas including local ordinances, how a bill becomes a law and the current bill we are working to pass that gives basic shelter to dogs that live outside.  If you are interested in teaching your child advocacy, how to use his or her voice for others who have none and raising a humane child in challenging times, this is the perfect webinar. 

The lesson is one hour designed specifically for kids ages 9-13. 

We use a cross-discipline approach that combines social studies, politics, writing, and advocacy.  Children trained to extend justice, kindness and mercy to animals become more just, kind and considerate in their relations to each other. Character training along these lines will result in more humane and law abiding men and women of broader sympathies.  We'll conclude by asking your child to write a letter to their State Representative and/or State Senator.  These letters will be shared on our social media so your child's compassion and advocacy can be seen and appreciated by animal advocates across the state. 

Please note:  We will talk about animal cruelty.  Please trust your own judgement as to how your child will manage this.  We seek to teach and discuss, and certainly not to traumatize.

When you RSVP below, you will automatically receive a confirmation email with the link to the webinar. 

THLN has been inundated with questions surrounding COVD-19 so we decided to bring the experts to you.  We are proud to host this FREE webinar entitled, "How COVID-19 is Affecting Texas Animals". This webinar is a Q & A styled informal discussion with the following representatives: past President and President-elect of the Texas Animal Control Association (both of whom are urban and rural shelter directors), a shelter veterinarian, a non-profit humane society and an animal emergency and response team.

When you RSVP below, you will automatically receive a confirmation email with the link to the webinar.