Millions of animals needlessly suffer in labs, breeding facilities, roadside zoos, and other exploitative industries. Although the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is tasked with enforcing the Animal Welfare Act (AWA), which requires facilities to meet basic care standards, it has repeatedly failed to do so. However, the Better Collaboration, Accountability, and Regulatory Enforcement (CARE) for Animals Act will help protect animals by strengthening AWA enforcement.
The Act would amend the AWA to give the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) the ability to collaborate more effectively with the USDA to enforce the law when regulated facilities fail to provide animals with humane care. It will help bring cases to the federal courts in a timely manner so that violators are penalized for their crimes. The DOJ would also have the authority to revoke licenses, impose civil penalties, and seize animals from substandard facilities.
The DOJ’s involvement in cases involving multiple severe violations of the AWA can help save animal lives. An example is Envigo, a Virginia breeding facility where the USDA found more than 60 AWA violations from July 2021 to May 2022 but took no enforcement action, allowing prolonged animal suffering. A DOJ investigation led to the seizure of more than 140 dogs in need of immediate veterinary treatment.
Envigo was fined $22 million for AWA and Clean Water Act violations and $13.5 million for facility improvements, environmental restoration, and reimbursement to animal groups, but—best of all—the company surrendered 4,000 beagles who were then adopted into new homes.
Animals should not suffer because the USDA cannot properly do its job!
Please contact your federal legislators and urge them to support the Better CARE for Animals Act. Tell them that the AWA needs stronger enforcement and that by giving the DOJ the authority to take legal action, dogs and other animals will be better protected.
