We All Have Something to Give

Monthly giving, time + more: Ways to support the Houston SPCA now and year-round

Volunteer, foster, or adopt — it all makes a difference.

Photo courtesy of Houston SPCA

You might be feeling a little more charitable around the holidays, and if you have ability to give time or money, the Houston SPCA would be extremely grateful to receive it.

The Houston SPCA has served the community for nearly 100 years as the leading animal rescue and protection organization in the Gulf Coast region. It has the ability to care for every animal species, including companion animals, small pets, equine and farm animals, native wildlife, and exotics, all on one campus.

The private, nonprofit organization is not affiliated with any other SPCA or national, regional, or local animal welfare organization. It relies solely on donations from animal lovers, foundations, and businesses who support their lifesaving work.

The Houston SPCA became known around the world for its exhaustive work against animal cruelty after the long-running Animal Planet TV series Animal Cops: Houston, which continues to air in syndication across Europe.

We all have something to give — here are a few ways you can help support the Houston SPCA:

Monthly impact: A monthly gift helps support lifesaving work like emergency response, which includes rescue transports during hurricanes and other natural disasters, fueling a fleet of vehicles for 13 animal cruelty investigators, and keeping the region’s only 24-hour injured animal ambulance in our community on the road to answer the 6,000-plus calls for help each year.

Time: The Houston SPCA Foster Family program allows you to help animals in a way that works for your schedule, and it provides volunteer fosters with all the supplies they need. There are also opportunities to help on-campus, such as walking dogs, caring for felines in the Kitty Lodge, feeding orphaned squirrels, or giving a homeless pet a second chance in life through adoption.

Legacy planning: The Houston SPCA can help you build a plan to support the Gulf Coast region’s premier animal rescue and protection organization during your lifetime and beyond. It also allows children and loved ones to continue your legacy of giving. Learn more at houstonspca.org or call 713-869-7722 ext. 141.

Amazon Wish List: The animal protection and rescue organization has an Amazon Wish List that can be found here. It includes items like cleaning supplies and grocery gift cards to buy fresh fruits and vegetables for injured wildlife.

Chevron Marathon Run for A Reason: As an official participating charity for the Chevron Houston Marathon, the Houston SPCA can help with your fitness goals while supporting homeless animals in their care. Join a team, or be a Houston SPCA Hero by making a gift on their charity page to help reach their fundraising goal — without having to break a sweat! Visit HoustonSPCA.org/events to sign up and learn more.

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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.

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