Animal News

Dallas' animal shelter would love some help with their big dog situation

The Dallas animal shelter needs to find homes for large dogs like German shepherds.

Photo courtesy of Greater Houston German Shepherd Dog Rescue

Dallas' animal shelter is overwhelmed with animals and needs help, particularly with big dogs. According to a release, Dallas Animal Services (DAS) is experiencing an overwhelming amount of dogs coming into the shelter that is exceeding the number of dogs being adopted.

The shelter is currently at around 170 percent capacity with 510 dogs housed in 300 kennels.

This forces DAS to have to double up most of the large dog kennels in the facility, putting two dogs in a kennel meant for one.

"Our team, both staff and volunteers, alongside our dedicated rescue partners, are working tirelessly to find positive outcomes for the dogs in our care, but we need the community’s help," says a statement from the shelter.

The alternative for DAS is to have to euthanize animals, an outcome they do not want.

The staff is calling for community members who can adopt, foster, volunteer, or donate to show up this week during the Empty the Shelters Event and help find positive outcomes for every placeable pet.

Bissel Pet Foundation’s Empty the Shelters National Adoption Event is running October 1-15, menaing that all pets are currently free to adopt. They come already spayed/neutered, vaccinated, and microchipped; and you get a voucher for a free veterinary visit. This saves you hundreds of dollars in pet care, and lets you take home a furry friend at no cost and help be a part of the change.

The shelter is at 1818 N. Westmoreland Rd. and the hours are as follows:

Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday, 11 am-7 pm
Wednesday 1-7 pm
Saturday-Sunday 11 am-6 pm

Visit BeDallas90.org to see available pets, become a foster, or join our volunteer program. Donations can be made to Friends of Dallas Animal Services at FriendsofDAS.org.

animals

Weed News

Texas Rep. Jessica González of Dallas files bill to legalize marijuana

Redheaded Blackbelt

undefined

Texas Rep. Jessica González of Dallas has filed a bill to legalize recreational marijuana in Texas. House Bill 1208 would legalize the cultivation, manufacturing, transportation, and sale of cannabis.

The bill would allow adults 21 and older to use, possess, and transport up to 2.5 ounces of marijuana for personal use. Adults could also keep up to 10 ounces of cannabis in their residence, as long as it is stored in a secure location.

Smoking or consuming cannabis while in a public place or in a car on a public road would not be allowed.

Gonzalez filed the bill in mid-November, one in a suite of bills that also included expanding insurance coverage for in vitro fertilization for LGBTQ couples; and requiring landlords to disclose all fees before a rental lease is signed.

Her bill was filed prior to an initiative launched by Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick on December 4 to ban THC products in Texas entirely.

In addition to legalizing recreational use, the bill also makes provisions for its production and sale including requiring that the packaging be child-resistent and clearly labeled, so that it's not confused for candy.

Businesses looking to grow, transport, test, or sell cannabis would need to be licensed by the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation. A 10 percent tax would be imposed on the sale of all cannabis and cannabis products. Some of the profits would go towards funding public schools.

If passed, the bill would take effect on September 1, 2025.

Medical cannabis is currently legal in Texas under the Texas Compassionate Use Program, which allows low-THC cannabis to be prescribed for conditions such as epilepsy, MS, autism, cancer, and post-traumatic stress disorder.

Some cities have also approved decriminalization for the possession of four ounces or less of marijuana, including Austin, Bastrop, Dallas, Denton, Elgin, Killeen, and Lockhart.

politics marijuana