Better CARE for Animals Act

Declare your organization's support for the Better CARE for Animals Act to help animals like the Envigo beagles

a woman holds up a beagle puppy to another woman — Photo by Animal Welfare League of Arlington

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In the summer of 2022, over 120 shelters and rescues stepped up to help almost 4,000 Beagles who were transferred from a breeding facility in Cumberland, Virginia. The Department of Justice (DOJ) filed a lawsuit against Envigo, a company that breeds for animals used in research and testing, after multiple violations of the Animal Welfare Act (AWA) were noted at this facility. While those dogs were fortunate to move on to loving homes, the situation highlighted the need for the DOJ to have the enforcement tools to collaborate with the Department of Agriculture when entities such as research facilities and puppy mills, violate the (AWA).

Currently, there are only three administrative law judges for the entire USDA. As a result, only so many enforcement actions can go through the system each year, which is a contributing factor to why so many AWA violators go unpunished. However, Congress included a provision in the AWA that allows DOJ to bring cases in federal court.

The Better CARE for Animals Act would require a memorandum of understanding between the USDA and DOJ to encourage greater collaboration and ensure DOJ has access to evidence on AWA violators. It would also provide DOJ with more enforcement remedies under the AWA by authorizing them to seek license revocations, civil penalties, and the seizure and removal of mistreated animals.

The Better CARE for Animals Act will give DOJ the tools to better enforce the AWA and hopefully step in earlier at facilities with documented violations of the AWA, like Envigo, in order to save the lives of suffering animals before it is too late.

Ask

If your shelter or rescue would like to support this federal bill, please submit the form below. A comprehensive list of organizations that support the Better Care for Animals Act will help ensure this issue is taken seriously in Congress. Please note, only those able to endorse this bill on behalf of your organization should submit this action.

If you are an individual adopter or shelter/rescue professional and would like to add your voice, please submit this action alert.