Take Action Today!

The Animal Welfare Act (AWA), signed into law on August 24, 1966, is the primary federal legislation in the United States that regulates the treatment of animals in various contexts, including research, teaching, testing, exhibition, and transportation. The AWA is enforced by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), specifically the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS), Animal Care division.

Here are the key points from your provided information:

1. Purpose and Scope:
• The AWA aims to protect animals housed in roadside zoos, puppy mills, and research facilities.
• It covers animals used in research, teaching, testing, and those exhibited to the public.
• The Act also applies to animal dealers.
2. Violations and Consequences:
• Despite its intentions, repeat offenders who violate basic standards of animal care often face minimal consequences.
• Serious violations include neglecting veterinary treatment for visibly emaciated, sick, injured, or immobile animals.
3. Enforcement Challenges:
• Only three administrative law judges handle enforcement actions for the USDA.
• Some violators continue to operate because the USDA does not bring cases up for review promptly.
4. Proposed Solution:
• The Better Collaboration, Accountability, and Regulatory Enforcement (CARE) for Animals Act aims to address these gaps.
• It empowers the Department of Justice (DOJ) to collaborate more effectively with the USDA.
• The DOJ can seek license revocation, civil penalties, and the seizure of suffering animals, intervening earlier to prevent unnecessary suffering.

In summary, the AWA plays a crucial role in safeguarding animals, but improvements are needed to ensure timely enforcement and protect animal welfare. The Better CARE for Animals Act seeks to enhance collaboration and accountability, ultimately saving lives and alleviating suffering.

Take Action

Please take a moment to call your two U.S. Senators and U.S. Representative.

Sample Script:

"As your constituent, I urge you to co-sponsor the Better CARE for Animals Act, which will strengthen Animal Welfare Act enforcement. We must do more to end the unnecessary suffering of animals and save lives before it is too late."

After making your phone call, send a follow-up email similar to the example below:

Subject: Urgent Co-sponsorship Needed for CARE for Animals Act

Dear Legislator,

As your constituent, I urge you to co-sponsor the Better Collaboration, Accountability, and Regulatory Enforcement (CARE) for Animals Act. This bill strengthens the Animal Welfare Act (AWA) by empowering the Department of Justice (DOJ) to collaborate effectively with the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) in enforcing the AWA.

Key points:

• The AWA protects animals in research facilities, puppy mills, and more.
• Violators often escape consequences due to limited enforcement resources.
• The CARE for Animals Act enables DOJ to seek license revocations, penalties, and animal seizure.

Recent case: In 2022, DOJ exposed shocking AWA violations at Envigo, where beagles suffered needlessly. Let’s act swiftly to save lives.

Thank you for your support.

Sincerely, [Your Name]

(Feel free to personalize it further, and I hope this helps!)