New grassroots animal-policy nonprofit Lone Star Humane Association launches to fight Texas animal overpopulation
A volunteer-powered 501(c)(4) built to tackle the state’s shelter crisis by putting everyday Texans in direct contact with their lawmakers.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Today marks the launch of the Lone Star Humane Association (LSHA), a groundbreaking new animal-policy nonprofit dedicated to solving the critical animal welfare crisis facing Texas.
LSHA’s mission is to tackle the state’s increasingly severe overpopulation of animals and the resulting crisis at municipal shelters with a grassroots approach: by empowering local volunteers to work directly with lawmakers.
The group is founded by Shelby Bobosky, an animal law expert and well-known name in the animal advocacy world. Bobosky has spent years working to pass animal-friendly laws in the Texas Legislature and local governments and witnessed the ineffectiveness of the corporate lobbying model that has failed Texans and their animals.
“Texas currently faces unprecedented challenges in animal welfare, including overcrowded municipal shelters, high euthanasia rates, and a severe shortage of resources,” Bobosky says. “For too long, the response to these issues has been dictated by political agendas and out-of-touch organizations, which unfortunately has exacerbated the problems in our great state.”
LSHA will operate as a 501(c)(4) entity — a federal designation for nonprofits that engage in advocacy, lobbying, and political campaign activities, but not private interests. Attaining 501(c)(4) status will give LSHA the unique legal flexibility to engage directly in legislative advocacy, endorse animal-friendly policies, and hold lawmakers accountable.
“LSHA will be the only statewide c4 animal-welfare organization not powered by paychecks, as we are 100% grassroots volunteers, but by compassion combined with real legislative solutions for our Texas pets,” Bobosky says.
Bobosky is a pre-eminent authority in the animal legislation world. She teaches classes on animal law and wildlife law at Southern Methodist University, as well as animal law and animal cruelty throughout the state to judges, animal control officers, and law enforcement. She has helped cities in Texas write animal-related ordinances and also teaches animal responsibility classes at DFW animal shelters.
In addition, she has contributed hundreds of pro bono hours counseling nonprofits on animal, foster, and adoption contracts, as well as representing clients regarding dead or sick puppies they’ve purchased from breeders or pet stores.
She’ll oversee LSHA’s program to build a statewide network of volunteers, fosters, rescuers, and community leaders.
“Texas needs Texas-sized solutions built from the ground up, not top-down agendas imported from other states,” she says. “By shifting the power back to volunteers, LSHA will create a safer, more humane Texas for pets and people alike.”
LSHA’s immediate legislative priorities include expanding low-cost spay and neuter funding and strengthening anti-cruelty and responsible pet ownership laws across Texas counties. The organization invites animal lovers, advocates, and concerned citizens across the state to join the movement.
“Our communities are suffering from a severe dog overpopulation crisis,” Bobosky says. “The path forward isn’t spending millions on high-paid consultants and out-of-touch agendas; it is empowering everyday Texans to advocate directly to their representatives. Whether it is spay and neuter funding or to right-size animal cruelty penalties, we are launching LSHA to pass common-sense laws by Texans, for Texans.”
About Lone Star Humane Association
The Lone Star Humane Association is a nonprofit 501(c)(4) advocacy organization dedicated to advancing animal welfare policy in Texas. Built on a foundation of pure grassroots advocacy, LSHA mobilizes volunteers to work directly with lawmakers to implement common-sense solutions to animal overpopulation and neglect. Learn more at lonestarhumaneassociation.org.
Media contact
Shelby Bobosky
Founder and Board President, Lone Star Humane Association
shelby@lonestarhumaneassociation.org