Why Wait?

Animal lovers can make an impact right now by donating to Houston SPCA

No need to wait until the clock strikes midnight and 2024 arrives to make an impact in the lives of so many animals in need, right here in Houston.

Animals like Arnie, a beautiful Belgian Malinois who was rescued by Houston SPCA Animal Cruelty Investigators after surveillance video caught his owner hitting him with a weight and repeatedly kicking him. Arnie, now renamed Bones, is currently in a happy home with his fur siblings, living his best life.

That’s what gifting to the most comprehensive animal rescue and protection organization on the Gulf Coast can do.

And through December 31, every donation will be matched up to $45,000 thanks to a group of leadership donors.

So making an impact this holiday season is twice as nice for some of the most vulnerable animals in our city — before you even say farewell to 2023.

Here are two ways you can spread the joy of giving:

Monthly giving

Your monthly donation can help Houston SPCA equip and support its staff and facility every day.

By supporting Houston SPCA, you enable the staff to respond to the 14,000 cruelty reports and rescue calls they receive each year and provide direct care to animals who have been neglected and abused.

Their goal is to ensure that every animal in the Houston area is freed from abuse and neglect, but they rely on a strong and growing community of donors to achieve this.

Set up monthly giving here.

Planned giving

If you love animals and want to ensure that your love for them continues even after you're gone, you can take steps today to make a planned gift to the Houston SPCA.

This will not only be a powerful statement about your love for animals, but will also help countless animals through the organization's lifesaving programs.

Create your legacy today with planned giving.

Photo courtesy of Houston SPCA

Arnie, now named Bones, is now living his best life thanks to the Houston SPCA.

animals charity promoted

no more trips to Colorado

Bill to legalize marijuana in Texas filed by Dallas Democrat

Photo courtesy of Texas Original

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Texas Rep. Jessica González (D-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